The Research Question Gaps in Knowledge: What do Primary Care Patients Know about the Opioid Medication they Have Been Prescribed? LS Wallace, L McDougle, WF Miser, RK Wexler What do primary care patients know about the opioids they have been prescribed? Why this is important? – Prescribing of opioid analgesics has steadily risen in primary care settings. – A patient must possess adequate opioid-related knowledge to not only control his/her chronic pain, but also manage his/her opioid medication safely.

What the Researchers Did Interviewed English-speaking primary care patients receiving a long-term opioid (≥6 months) for non-malignant chronic pain management (January-December, 2013). Ninety-two (n=92) patients (average age=52 years; 77% female) completed a 30-minute one-on-one structured interview with a trained research assistant (RA). Interview data: – Sociodemographic survey – Patient Opioid Education Measure (POEM) – a valid and reliable instrument containing 49 opioid knowledge-related questions addressing: medicolegal issues, expected outcomes, prescribing policies, safe use and handling, pharmacology, warnings, and side effects.

What the Researchers Found Overall, patients averaged 64% (range=20-92%) correct responses on the POEM. Significant gaps in opioid-related knowledge emerged. Less than 1/4 of those interviewed correctly answered questions about: – proper opioid storage at home – need for his/her primary care physician to know about all other medications he/she was currently taking – link between opioid medication and life-threatening breathing problems – noticeable changes in someone exhibiting signs of opioid addiction

What This Means for Clinical Practice Widespread gaps in opioid-related knowledge are common in primary care. Identifying and addressing misunderstandings and gaps in knowledge is paramount in promoting safe and consistent opioid use in primary care. There is great need to develop and disseminate educational interventions to increase opioid-related knowledge.