Healthcare Provider Attitudes, Beliefs, and Perceived Confidence in Managing Patients with Cancer Pain and Nonmedical Opioid Use.

CONTEXT: Healthcare provider education is an effective strategy to improve knowledge and competencies in opioid prescribing practices. However, there are very few studies regarding this among providers of patients with cancer pain and nonmedical opioid use (NMOU). The aim of our study was to assess participants' attitudes, beliefs, and self-perceived confidence in caring for patients with cancer pain and NMOU before and after attending an opioid educational seminar on the use and nonmedical use of opioids in cancer patients.

METHODS: An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare providers who attended an opioid educational event in April 2018 and May 2019.

RESULTS: The overall response rate was 63% (129/206). Approximately 72% of participants had concerns about NMOU in cancer patients, 69% felt that such patients are frequently under-detected, and 63% felt that cancer pain is frequently undertreated. At baseline, only 23% reported adequate knowledge and 35% reported confidence in caring for cancer patients with NMOU-related issues. Among those who completed both the pre- and post-seminar surveys, these numbers improved significantly at the end of the seminar. (26% vs 71% and 43% vs 84% respectively, all p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: The majority of healthcare providers expressed concerns about under detection of NMOU and under treatment of pain among patients with cancer. Many self-reported knowledge and confidence deficits in caring for cancer patients with NMOU. Seminar participation was associated with an increase in the number of participants with self-perceived knowledge and confidence. Future studies are needed to ascertain the impact of such opioid educational events on patient care practices.