Development and feasibility testing of an opioid-deprescribing-support-educational-program for healthcare professionals in primary care: a process evaluation study

Abstract <br/><br/> <br/><br/>Title: Development and feasibility testing of an opioid-deprescribing-support-educational-program for healthcare professionals in primary care: a process evaluation study. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>Background and aims: <br/><br/>Patients with chronic pain are often in long-term opioid therapy (L-TOT), despite recommendations against it. L-TOT is associated with a range of side effects and tolerance development causing ineffectiveness. Patients in L-TOT impose financial burdens on healthcare systems and social services. Most patients are managed in primary care where successful opioids deprescribing are rare. The study aims to develop and test an educational-program to empower primary care professionals in opioid deprescribing in patients with chronic pain. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>Methods: <br/><br/>Drawing on experience from a specialized multidisciplinary pain centre, insight from semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals, and ethnographic observations of interactions between patients and healthcare professionals in L-TOT consultations, we developed an opioid-deprescribing-support-educational-program tailored for primary care professionals. This program was designed to enhance the competencies needed to manage opioid deprescribing effectively. The program's feasibility was evaluated through questionnaires and observation during teaching sessions. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>Results: <br/><br/>Our result indicates that primary care professionals lack adequate competencies in deprescribing opioids and supporting patients with L-TOT. The educational-program focuses on understanding chronic pain, management strategies, and empathic support, as this knowledge is believed to enhance and encourage the deprescribing in patients with L-TOT. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>The educational-program is feasible for primary care. Its content is relevant and high-quality, and testing is ongoing. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>Conclusions: <br/><br/>The program was developed with insight from primary care, a multidisciplinary pain centre and with profound knowledge of this context. It is feasible for the context. <br/><br/>If further results support the program, it can be integrated into primary care in-service training to support behavior change in opioid deprescribing.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Authors: <br/>Anne Mette Drastrup1, 2 , [email protected] <br/>Randi Eltved1 [email protected] <br/>Mette Dalsgård Bergmann1 , [email protected] <br/>Søren Mose2, 4, [email protected], &lt;5 years since PhD <br/>Mette Terp Høybye2, 3, [email protected], &gt; 5 years since PhD <br/><br/>1Multidisciplinary Pain Centre, Elective Surgery Centre, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Denmark <br/>2University Clinic for Interdisciplinary Orthopaedic Pathways, Elective Surgery Centre, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Denmark <br/>3 Interacting Minds Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark <br/>4 VIA University College, Research Center for Rehabilitation <br/><br/>