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Jones KF, Liou KT, Ashare RL, Worster B, Yeager KA, Merlin J, Meghani SH. How Racialized Approaches to Opioid Use Disorder and Opioid Misuse Management Hamper Pharmacoequity for Cancer Pain. J Clin Oncol 2024:JCO2400705. [PMID: 39288335 DOI: 10.1200/jco.24.00705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
@JCO_ASCO paper focuses on racialized approaches to OUD and opioid misuse as underappreciated drivers of disparities in cancer and recs a path forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Fitzgerald Jones
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, New England Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Kevin T Liou
- Department of Medicine, Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY
| | - Rebecca L Ashare
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - Brooke Worster
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Jessica Merlin
- Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, Division of General Internal Medicine, CHAllenges in Managing and Preventing Pain Clinical Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Salimah H Meghani
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Science, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Bruera E. Improving Palliative Care Access for Patients With Cancer. JAMA 2024:2823627. [PMID: 39259572 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.14059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Bruera
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
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Noreika D, Konecny M. The Pendulum: The Need to Develop a Safe, Effective, and Equitable Management Strategy for Opioids in Cancer Patients. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2024; 17:1079-1082. [PMID: 38686131 PMCID: PMC11057629 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s455252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The opioid epidemic has caused major morbidity and mortality to Americans. Although there are multiple sources of this staggering issue, one inciting factor has been the use of opioids to manage pain. Although recent efforts have changed care pathways for patients with chronic pain, the first-line management of cancer pain remains opioids. Despite this, there is very little evidence and no guidelines/regulations to assist in the management of these patients. Although the literature suggests a number of current barriers to identifying and managing the challenges (such as the preferred management of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), the optimal approach to taperering, or approaches to disparities), there are no concrete strategies for providers to manage these circumstances. Investing in further research utilizing the national opioid settlement funding, exploring the equity gaps using community based participatory research and community health worker models, and increasing provider education pathways are all potential approaches to improving this issue. These solutions could help identify and address some of the gaps that affect cancer patients taking opioids for pain.
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Arthur J, Edwards T, Lu Z, Amoateng MD, Koom-Dadzie K, Zhu H, Long J, Do KA, Bruera E. Healthcare provider perceptions and reported practices regarding opioid prescription for patients with chronic cancer pain. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:121. [PMID: 38252311 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08323-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Data indicates that clinicians might be under-prescribing opioids for patients with chronic cancer pain, and this could impact adequate pain management. Few studies have sought to understand healthcare provider (HCP) perceptions and practices regarding the prescription of opioids for chronic cancer pain. We assessed HCP perceptions and practices regarding opioid prescription for patients with chronic cancer pain since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted among 186 HCPs who attended an opioid educational event in April 2021 and 2022. RESULTS Sixty-one out of 143 (44%) opioid prescribers reported reluctance to prescribe opioids for chronic cancer pain. In a multivariate logistic model, younger participants (log OR - 0.04, 95% CI - 0.085, - 0.004; p = 0.033) and pain medicine clinicians (log OR - 1.89, CI - 3.931, - 0.286; p = 0.034) were less reluctant, whereas providers who worry about non-medical opioid use were more reluctant to prescribe opioids (log OR 1.58 95% CI 0.77-2.43; p < 0.001). Fifty-three out of 143 (37%) prescribers had experienced increased challenges regarding opioid dispensing at pharmacies, and 84/179 (47%) of all respondents reported similar experience by their patients. Fifty-four out of 178(30%) were aware of opioid-related harmful incidents to patients or their families, including incidents attributed to opioid misuse by a household or family member. CONCLUSION A considerable number of opioid prescribers were reluctant to prescribe opioids for patients with chronic cancer pain. Many reported challenges regarding dispensing of opioids at the pharmacies. These may be unintended consequences of policies to address the opioid crisis. Future measures should focus on addressing regulatory barriers without undermining the gains already made to combat the opioid crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Arthur
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Tonya Edwards
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zhanni Lu
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Magdelene Doris Amoateng
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kwame Koom-Dadzie
- Department of Hospital Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hongxu Zhu
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James Long
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kim-Anh Do
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eduardo Bruera
- Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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Arthur J, Edwards T, Lu Z, Amoateng DM, Koom-Dadzie K, Zhu H, Long J, Do KA, Bruera E. Healthcare provider perceptions and reported practices regarding opioid prescription for patients with chronic pain. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3367358. [PMID: 37841840 PMCID: PMC10571602 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3367358/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Data indicates that clinicians might be under-prescribing opioids for patients with chronic cancer pain, and this could impact adequate chronic pain management. Few studies have sought to understand healthcare provider (HCP) perceptions and practices regarding the prescription of opioids for chronic pain. We assessed HCP perceptions and practices regarding opioid prescription for patients with chronic pain since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted among 186 HCPs who attended an opioid educational event in April 2021 and 2022. RESULTS 61/143(44%) opioid prescribers reported reluctance to prescribe opioids for chronic pain. In a multivariate logistic model, younger participants (log OR -0.04, 95% CI: -0.085, -0.004; p = 0.033) and pain medicine clinicians (log OR -1.89, CI: -3.931, -0.286; p = 0.034) were less reluctant, whereas providers who worry about non-medical opioid use (NMOU) were more reluctant to prescribe opioids (log OR 1.58 95% CI: 0.77-2.43; p < 0.001). 53/143(37%) respondents had experienced increased challenges regarding opioid dispensing at pharmacies, and 84/179(47%) reported similar experience by their patients. 54/178(30%) HCPs were aware of opioid-related harmful incidents to patients or their families, including incidents attributed to opioid misuse by a household or family member. CONCLUSION A significant number of opioid prescribers were reluctant to prescribe opioids for patients with chronic pain. Many reported challenges regarding dispensing of opioids at the pharmacies. These may be unintended consequences of policies to address the opioid crisis. Future measures should focus on addressing regulatory barriers without undermining the gains already made to combat the opioid crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhanni Lu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer
| | | | | | - Hongxu Zhu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer
| | - James Long
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer
| | - Kim-Anh Do
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer
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