title: The opioid contract.
abstract: Opioid contracts are widely used but not well studied. Despite the widespread use of the opioid contract or agreement, there is no standard approach. Some studies have found both considerable variability between opioid contracts as well as consistent core themes. While an opioid contract may be an appealing tool for obtaining informed consent, providing education, or otherwise overcoming some of the problems associated with chronic opioid therapy for noncancer pain, its efficacy is not well established. This article will consider many of the significant factors that impact clinicians and patients using a contract or agreement for chronic opioid therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, USA. smfishman@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: Paul G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Kreis
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D032982:Contracts / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid