Training primary care providers in opioid deprescribing and chronic pain management based on local guidance: a pre–post study of attitude change

Authors

  • Ruth White Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
  • Chris Hayes Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
  • Allison W Boyes School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
  • Sandra Fitzgerald Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network, NSW, Australia
  • Hema Rajappa Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
  • Christine L Paul School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33966/hepj.2.1.13209

Abstract

Background. Local chronic non-cancer pain guidance recommends that general practitioners should consider opioid deprescribing and referral to multidisciplinary healthcare providers for behaviourally based treatments. We designed a training package called AIMM (Assess, Inform, Manage and Monitor) to reinforce this stewardship.

Aim. To identify whether participation in AIMM training effectively aligned clinicians’ attitudes with local guidance for treating chronic non-cancer pain.

Design and setting. In 2014–15, the AIMM training was tested using a pre–post-test non-randomised design at two sites in NSW, Australia. The primary outcome measure was an 11-item, study-specific, pain attitude questionnaire (PAQ).

Method. Step one of AIMM training involved online completion of the PAQ and review of a specialist pain website. Step two involved attendance at two face-to-face, two-hour interactive workshops led by pain experts who addressed opioid deprescribing and switching to broader care. A repeat PAQ survey was completed at the conclusion of the second workshop.

Results. Nineteen participants attended the workshops, including general practitioners (n = 7), nurses (n = 5), exercise physiologists (n = 2), a dietitian (n = 1), community pharmacists (n = 2) and psychologists (n = 2). Significant shifts in six attitudes occurred, including prescribing less pain medication, greater emphasis on social reconnection, increasing planned activity and adopting anti-inflammatory nutrition (p < .05). Responses to the item regarding expectations of a positive recovery was not aligned with local guidance and no significant attitudinal change was found. Four other attitudes were aligned with local guidance at baseline and did not change during the study.

Conclusions. Online information and face-to-face training can achieve a change in healthcare provider attitudes towards non-pharmacological treatment of chronic non-cancer pain. Further work is needed to assess whether attitudinal changes are maintained and translate into behavioural change.

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Author Biographies

Ruth White, Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia

B App Sc (Phty), M. Sc. Med (PMgt)

Chris Hayes, Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

FFPMANZCA, M. Med

Allison W Boyes, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

BA (Psych), MPH, PhD

Hema Rajappa, Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Hunter New England Health, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

FFPMANZCA, FRACP, MD

Christine L Paul, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

BA (Hons), PhD

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Published

2019-07-03

How to Cite

White, R., Hayes, C., Boyes, A. W., Fitzgerald, S., Rajappa, H., & Paul, C. L. (2019). Training primary care providers in opioid deprescribing and chronic pain management based on local guidance: a pre–post study of attitude change. ealth ducation in ractice: ournal of esearch for rofessional earning, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.33966/hepj.2.1.13209

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