Physicians' knowledge of transdermal fentanyl.
BACKGROUND
Different opioids for use in the control of moderate to severe cancer pain have become widely available. More recently, sophisticated formulations such as transdermal patches have been developed. One example, transdermal fentanyl (TF), has characteristic pharmacokinetics and along with the other opioids, equivalency conversions are often made when changing from or to other opioids.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the knowledge of general practitioners (GPs), hospital consultants and oncologists about the pharmacology and use of TF in the management of moderate/severe cancer pain.


METHODS
During 2001 and 2002 a questionnaire survey was carried out. A randomized selection of GPs, hospital consultants and oncologists (n=1167) from the UK and Ireland were sent a questionnaire and 576 (49%) were returned and evaluated.


RESULTS
The results show doctors who had previously prescribed TF are more confident and knowledgeable about the indications and pharmacology of TF than doctors who had never prescribed TF. Overall knowledge and confidence in using TF was poor.
Welsh
John
J
University of Glasgow and Beatson Oncology Centre, Western Infirmary, Glasgow.
Reid
Anne
A
Graham
Julie
J
Curto
Jorge
J
MacLeod
Karen
K
O'Neill
Claire
C
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D005194:Family Practice; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl