title: An exploration of opioid medication management for non-malignant pain in primary care.
abstract: The present study aimed to explore how prescription of opioid medication for chronic non-malignant pain (CNMP) is managed in primary care. We used audit as a research tool, and one general practitioner (GP) practice in West London acted as an exemplar. Of the practice population with CNMP, 1% had repeat prescription of at least 12 months duration for opioid analgesics at the time of data collection. These 1% are on highly controlled opioids. Our study showed the following: (1) long-term opioid prescription appears to follow a fluctuating course as opposed to staying the same; (2) we found that medication reviews were done in most cases (85.7%), but the quality of the process is difficult to assess and ascertain; and (3) we identified two incidences where opioid contract was implemented. In both cases, contracts were used as a last chance warning for patients who were already problematic, suggesting that opioid contracts served as a disciplinary tool rather than a preventative measure. Our findings highlight a need for a more structured and specific review of analgesic medication, and a need for a simple and effective way to identify patients at high risk of developing problematic use, to ensure better monitoring and early presentations.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, The Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK ; Richford Gate Medical Practice, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, The Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK ; Richford Gate Medical Practice, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foell
keywords: Non-malignant pain; chronic therapy pain; community health services; opioid; primary health care