Resisting Prescribed Opioids: A Qualitative Study of Decision Making in Patients Taking Opioids for Chronic Noncancer Pain

ConclusionsBoth patients and doctors exhibit aspects of resistance to the use of prescribed opioids for chronic noncancer pain, suggesting that this shared concern could be the basis of a productive therapeutic alliance to improve communication and shared decision making. SummaryClinical guidelines for opioids use for chronic noncancer pain focus on over‐use. Our qualitative interview study found that many patients resisted and minimized the use of opioids. Using a published “Model of medicine‐taking,” we identified various influences on patient decision making. Both patients and doctors had concerns about using opioids for chronic noncancer pain. These could be the basis of a productive therapeutic alliance to improve communication and shared decision making.
Source: Pain Medicine - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research