Challenges in pain management and opioid prescribing practices following traumatic injury: a focus group study with orthopedic surgeons and general practitioners.
Saved in:
| Title: | Challenges in pain management and opioid prescribing practices following traumatic injury: a focus group study with orthopedic surgeons and general practitioners. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Finstad, Jeanette (AUTHOR), Clausen, Thomas (AUTHOR), Røise, Olav (AUTHOR), Rosseland, Leiv Arne (AUTHOR), Havnes, Ingrid Amalia (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. Dec2025, Vol. 43 Issue 4, p864-879. 16p. |
| Subjects: | Wounds & injuries, Work, Qualitative research, Focus groups, Mental health, Interprofessional relations, Interviewing, Drug therapy, Severity of illness index, Physicians' attitudes, Judgment sampling, Continuum of care, Orthopedic surgery, Longitudinal method, Sound recordings, Thematic analysis, Subacute care, Professions, Physician practice patterns, Opioid analgesics, Pain management, Research methodology, Attitudes of medical personnel, Conceptual structures, Convalescence, Drug prescribing, Data analysis software, Experiential learning, Patient aftercare |
| Geographic Terms: | Norway |
| Abstract: | Objective: To explore the experiences of orthopedic surgeons and general practitioners (GPs) in providing pain management, focusing on opioid prescribing practices and follow-up care for trauma patients following orthopedic injuries. Methods: Four semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted among 18 physicians, two among GPs and two among orthopedic trauma surgeons. Each group consisted of either specialist candidates or experienced specialists. The interviews explored experiences with follow-up care for orthopedic trauma patients, pain management, including opioid use and tapering, and were thematically analyzed. Results: Four main themes were identified: (1) Navigating post-discharge pain management, where GPs experienced problematic transfer of treatment responsibility and lack of opioid taper plans from the specialist health service. (2) A knowledge gap in pain management, with GPs reporting insufficient knowledge about opioid treatment, and orthopedic residents describing lacking systematic training in this area during specialization. (3) Changes in opioid prescribing practices over time, which had led to a self-perceived shift from liberal to restrictive prescription attitudes. (4) Unrealistic expectations of pain relief among patients were perceived by GPs and orthopedic surgeons throughout recovery. Conclusions and implications: Our findings reveal a knowledge gap in pain management, suggesting a need for enhanced education and training for GPs, both in specialization and specialist, and for orthopedic residents. This is crucial to meet the needs of trauma patients with severe orthopedic injuries and long-term pain. GPs need access to advisory support from the specialist healthcare system. These resources, including follow-up during challenging recovery phases, must be accessible to enhance patients care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Objective: To explore the experiences of orthopedic surgeons and general practitioners (GPs) in providing pain management, focusing on opioid prescribing practices and follow-up care for trauma patients following orthopedic injuries. Methods: Four semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted among 18 physicians, two among GPs and two among orthopedic trauma surgeons. Each group consisted of either specialist candidates or experienced specialists. The interviews explored experiences with follow-up care for orthopedic trauma patients, pain management, including opioid use and tapering, and were thematically analyzed. Results: Four main themes were identified: (1) Navigating post-discharge pain management, where GPs experienced problematic transfer of treatment responsibility and lack of opioid taper plans from the specialist health service. (2) A knowledge gap in pain management, with GPs reporting insufficient knowledge about opioid treatment, and orthopedic residents describing lacking systematic training in this area during specialization. (3) Changes in opioid prescribing practices over time, which had led to a self-perceived shift from liberal to restrictive prescription attitudes. (4) Unrealistic expectations of pain relief among patients were perceived by GPs and orthopedic surgeons throughout recovery. Conclusions and implications: Our findings reveal a knowledge gap in pain management, suggesting a need for enhanced education and training for GPs, both in specialization and specialist, and for orthopedic residents. This is crucial to meet the needs of trauma patients with severe orthopedic injuries and long-term pain. GPs need access to advisory support from the specialist healthcare system. These resources, including follow-up during challenging recovery phases, must be accessible to enhance patients care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 02813432 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/02813432.2025.2517769 |
