Changing patterns of opioid initiation for pain management in Ontario, Canada: A population-based cross-sectional study

Original research
by
Gomes, Tara et al

Release Date

2022

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

The recent publication of a national guideline and quality standards in Canada have provided clinicians with new, evidence-based recommendations on safe, appropriate opioid use. We sought to characterize how well opioid initiation practices aligned with these recommendations before and following their release.

Findings/Key points

Despite some modest reductions in initiation of high dose and long duration prescription opioids between 2015 and 2019, clinical practice is highly variable, with opioid prescribing practices influenced by clinical indication.

Design/methods

Population-based study

Keywords

About prescribers
Clinical guidance
Chronic pain