scholarly journals Exploring perceptions and experiences of patients who have chronic pain as state prescription opioid policies change: a qualitative study in Indiana

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e015083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morhaf Al Achkar ◽  
Debra Revere ◽  
Barbara Dennis ◽  
Palmer MacKie ◽  
Sumedha Gupta ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe misuse and abuse of prescription opioids (POs) is an epidemic in the USA today. Many states have implemented legislation to curb the use of POs resulting from inappropriate prescribing. Indiana legislated opioid prescribing rules that went into effect in December 2013. The rules changed how chronic pain is managed by healthcare providers. This qualitative study aims to evaluate the impact of Indiana’s opioid prescription legislation on the patient experiences around pain management.SettingThis is a qualitative study using interviews of patient and primary care providers to obtain triangulated data sources. The patients were recruited from an integrated pain clinic to which chronic pain patients were referred from federally qualified health clinics (FQHCs). The primacy care providers were recruited from the same FQHCs. The study used inductive, emergent thematic analysis.ParticipantsNine patient participants and five primary care providers were included in the study.ResultsLiving with chronic pain is disruptive to patients’ lives on multiple dimensions. The established pain management practices were disrupted by the change in prescription rules. Patient–provider relationships, which involve power dynamics and decision making, shifted significantly in parallel to the rule change.ConclusionsAs a result of the changes in pain management practice, some patients experienced significant challenges. Further studies into the magnitude of this change are necessary. In addition, exploring methods for regulating prescribing while assuring adequate access to pain management is crucial.

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-54
Author(s):  
Josiah D. Strawser, MD ◽  
Lauren Block, MD, MPH

Objective: To explore the impact of the New York State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (IStop) on the self-reported management of patients with chronic pain by primary care providers.Design: Mixed-methods study with survey collection and semistructured interviews.Setting: Multiple academic hospitals in New York.Participants: One hundred and thirty-six primary care providers (residents, fellows, attendings, and nurse practitioners) for survey collection, and eight primary care clinicians (residents, attending, and pharmacist) for interviews. Interventions: Introduction of IStop.Main outcome measure(s): Change in usage of four risk reduction strategies (pain contracts, urine tests, monthly visits, and co-management) as reported by primary care providers for patients with chronic pain.Results: After the introduction of IStop, 25 percent (32/128) of providers increased usage of monthly visits, 28 percent (36/128) of providers increased usage of pain management co-management with other healthcare providers, and 46 percent (60/129) of providers increased usage of at least one of four risk reduction strategies. Residents indicated much higher rates of change in risk reduction strategies due to IStop usage; increasing in the use of monthly visits (32 vs. 13 percent, p = 0.02) and co-management (36 vs. 13 percent, p = 0.01) occurred at a much higher rate in residents than attending physicians. Interview themes revealed an emphasis on finding opioid alternatives when possible, the need for frequent patient visits in effective pain management, and the importance of communication between the patient and provider to protect the relationship in chronic pain management.Conclusions: After the introduction of IStop, primary care providers have increased usage of risk reduction strategies in the care of chronic pain patients.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asha Mathew ◽  
Honor McQuinn ◽  
Diane M Flynn ◽  
Jeffrey C Ransom ◽  
Ardith Z Doorenbos

ABSTRACT Introduction Primary care providers are on the front lines of chronic pain management, with many reporting frustration, low confidence, and dissatisfaction in handling the complex issues associated with chronic pain care. Given the importance of their role and reported inadequacies and dissatisfaction in managing this challenging population, it is important to understand the perspectives of primary care providers when considering approaches to chronic pain management. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to comprehensively summarize the provider challenges and suggestions to improve chronic pain care in military primary care settings. Materials and Methods Semi-structured interviews with 12 military primary care providers were conducted in a single U.S. Army medical center. All interviews were audio-recorded and lasted between 30 and 60 minutes. Interview transcripts were analyzed using ATLAS 9.0 software. Narratives were analyzed using a general inductive approach to content analysis. The Framework Method was used to organize the codes and emergent categories. All study procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Washington. Results Four categories captured providers’ challenges and suggestions for improving chronic pain care: (1) tools for comprehensive pain assessment and patient education, (2) time available for each chronic pain appointment, (3) provider training and education, and (4) team-based approach to chronic pain management. Providers suggested use of the Pain Assessment Screening Tool and Outcomes Registry, more time per visit, incorporation of chronic pain care in health sciences curriculum, consistent provider training across the board, insurance coverage for complementary and integrative therapies, patient education, and improved access to interdisciplinary chronic pain care. Conclusions Lack of standardized multifaceted tools, time constraints on chronic pain appointments, inadequate provider education, and limited access to complementary and integrative health therapies are significant provider challenges. Insurance coverage for complementary and integrative health therapies needs to be expanded. The Stepped Care Model of Pain Management is a positive and definite stride toward addressing many of these challenges. Future studies should examine the extent of improvement in guidelines-concordant chronic pain care, patient outcomes, and provider satisfaction following the implementation of the Stepped Care Model of Pain Management in military health settings.


Pain Medicine ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1141-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya Vijayaraghavan ◽  
Joanne Penko ◽  
David Guzman ◽  
Christine Miaskowski ◽  
Margot B. Kushel

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 205031211878254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick North ◽  
Sarah J Crane ◽  
Jon O Ebbert ◽  
Sidna M Tulledge-Scheitel

Objectives: Opioid prescribing in the United States has tripled since 1999. At the same time, there has been increasing attention to patient satisfaction. It has been suggested that providers concerned about patient satisfaction may be more likely to treat pain with opioids. We examined primary care providers’ opioid prescribing practices to determine if higher provider opioid prescribing was associated with higher patient satisfaction. Methods: For 77 primary care providers, we compared each provider’s opioid prescription count and amount prescribed to each provider’s patient panel satisfaction measures. Satisfaction measures were obtained from surveys following office visits and consisted of Likert-type scale answers concerning satisfaction for pain management and other provider satisfaction domains. Satisfaction surveys were generated independent of patient complaint of pain and had the aim of overall assessment of patient satisfaction with the provider and the healthcare system. We assessed the correlation between opioid prescribing and patient panel pain management satisfaction using linear regression models with and without adjustment for patient complexity. Results: We observed no statistically significant correlation between patient panel satisfaction with their provider and the quantity of opioids that the provider prescribed (R2 = 0.006; p = 0.52). There was also no correlation between patient panel satisfaction and the number of opioid prescriptions written by their provider (R2 = 0.005; p = 0.54). Additional multivariate analysis after adjusting for patient complexity also demonstrated no correlation of pain management satisfaction with opioids prescribed. Although the quantity of opioid prescriptions was not correlated with pain management satisfaction, several other patient satisfaction measures correlated significantly with pain management satisfaction. Conclusion: Primary care providers with a greater rate of opioid prescribing did not have higher patient panel satisfaction scores for pain management. In primary care, providers who want to improve patient satisfaction should focus on other components of patient care besides opioid-based pain management.


Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 397-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Vannoy ◽  
Mijung Park ◽  
Meredith R. Maroney ◽  
Jürgen Unützer ◽  
Ester Carolina Apesoa-Varano ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Suicide rates in older men are higher than in the general population, yet their utilization of mental health services is lower. Aims: This study aimed to describe: (a) what primary care providers (PCPs) can do to prevent late-life suicide, and (b) older men's attitudes toward discussing suicide with a PCP. Method: Thematic analysis of interviews focused on depression and suicide with 77 depressed, low-socioeconomic status, older men of Mexican origin, or US-born non-Hispanic whites recruited from primary care. Results: Several themes inhibiting suicide emerged: it is a problematic solution, due to religious prohibition, conflicts with self-image, the impact on others; and, lack of means/capacity. Three approaches to preventing suicide emerged: talking with them about depression, talking about the impact of their suicide on others, and encouraging them to be active. The vast majority, 98%, were open to such conversations. An unexpected theme spontaneously arose: "What prevents men from acting on suicidal thoughts?" Conclusion: Suicide is rarely discussed in primary care encounters in the context of depression treatment. Our study suggests that older men are likely to be open to discussing suicide with their PCP. We have identified several pragmatic approaches to assist clinicians in reducing older men's distress and preventing suicide.


2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110660
Author(s):  
Shuying Sha ◽  
Mollie Aleshire

Primary care providers’ (PCPs) implicit and explicit bias can adversely affect health outcomes of lesbian women including their mental health. Practice guidelines recommend universal screening for depression in primary care settings, yet the guidelines often are not followed. The intersection of PCPs’ implicit and explicit bias toward lesbian women may lead to even lower screening and diagnosis of depression in the lesbian population than in the general population. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine the relationship between PCPs’ implicit and explicit bias toward lesbian women and their recommendations for depression screening in this population. PCPs ( n = 195) in Kentucky completed a survey that included bias measures and screening recommendations for a simulated lesbian patient. Bivariate inferential statistical tests were conducted to compare the implicit and explicit bias scores of PCPs who recommended depression screening and those who did not. PCPs who recommended depression screening demonstrated more positive explicit attitudes toward lesbian women ( p < .05) and their implicit bias scores were marginally lower than the providers who did not recommend depression screening (p = .068). Implications for practice: Depression screening rates may be even lower for lesbian women due to implicit and explicit bias toward this population. Training to increase providers’ awareness of bias and its harm is the first step to improve primary care for lesbian women. Policies must protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 843-856
Author(s):  
Constance Gundacker ◽  
Tyler W. Barreto ◽  
Julie P. Phillips

Background and Objectives: Traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction have a lifetime prevalence of 62%-75% and can negatively impact health outcomes. However, many primary care providers (PCPs) are inadequately prepared to treat patients with trauma due to a lack of training. Our objective was to identify trauma-informed approach curricula for PCPs, review their effectiveness, and identify gaps. Methods: We systematically identified articles from Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier, Cochrane, PsycINFO, MedEd Portal, and the STFM Resource Library. Search term headings “trauma-informed care (TIC),” “resilience,” “patient-centered care,” “primary care,” and “education.” Inclusion criteria were PCP, pediatric and adult patients, and training evaluation. Exclusion criteria were outside the United States, non-English articles, non-PCPs, and inpatient settings. We used the TIC pyramid to extract topics. We analyzed evaluation methods using the Kirkpatrick Model. Results: Researchers reviewed 6,825 articles and identified 17 different curricula. Understanding health effects of trauma was the most common topic (94%). Evaluation data revealed overall positive reactions and improved knowledge, attitudes, and confidence. Half (53%) reported Kirkpatrick level 3 behavior change evaluation outcomes with increased trauma screening and communication, but no change in referrals. Only 12% (2/17) evaluated Kirkpatrick level 4 patient satisfaction (significant results) and health outcomes (not significant). Conclusions: Pilot findings from studies in our review show trauma-informed curricula for PCPs reveal positive reactions, an increase in knowledge, screening, communication, and patient satisfaction, but no change in referrals or health outcomes. Further research is needed to examine the impact of trainings on quality of care and health outcomes.


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