Understanding what influences opioid prescribing for acute pain. v1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Understanding prescribing practices and the factors that influence decision making by health care professionals when prescribing opioids for patients with acute pain in secondary care.

  • IRAS ID

    311483

  • Contact name

    Alison Blackburn

  • Contact email

    alison.blackburn1@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 9 months, 28 days

  • Research summary

    The project will investigate what factors are involved in the decision to prescribe or take opioids in the acute stages of pain. The aims are to identify factors that influence prescribing decisions; and to explore what information is given to patients before starting opioids and the factors involved in the decision by patients to use opioid.

    The project will be undertaken in a secondary care setting; patients will be asked to participate if they are opioid naïve and have had surgery, trauma or an acute medical admission. health care professionals (specialist nurses /doctors /pharmacists) involved with this patient population will also be asked to participate. Qualitative interviews will be conducted separately with clinicians and patients to explore the factors involved in the decision to prescribe and use opioids. Maintaining access to opioids for acute pain and in some circumstances chronic pain is essential and this project aims to collect evidence that will allow us to develop a management strategy incorporating advice and support for both patients and health care professionals to optimise opioid use and minimise use in the long term where the significant risks lie.

  • REC name

    Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/YH/0095

  • Date of REC Opinion

    5 May 2022

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion