Trends of Opioid Prescription in Cancer Patients Utilizing Telemedicine: A Retrospective Study
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Pain Management
Abstract
Aim: Prescribing patterns among healthcare practitioners remain a recurring theme of interest in the opioid crisis. This study aims to provide insight on opioid prescribing patterns for cancer pain in telemedicine and in-person encounters during COVID-19.
Materials & methods: A retrospective chart review of 1000 encounters (500 telemedicine and 500 in-person) at an academic tertiary care comprehensive cancer center.
Results: On average, overall, significantly higher narcotics (in morphine milligram equivalents [MME]) prescribed for patients receiving telemedicine services. In-person encounters had a significantly higher proportion of narcotic (in MME) increases in subsequent visits.
Conclusion: Our institution continues to adapt telehealth services as an additional care venue and deeper insight helps mitigate development of maladaptive opioid prescribing patterns.
DOI
10.2217/pmt-2023-0036
Publication Date
10-10-2023
Keywords
COVID-19, MME, opioid crisis, opioid prescribing patterns, telehealth, telemedicine
ISSN
1758-1877
Recommended Citation
Bansal V, Pingenot EA, Huh B, Javed S. Trends of Opioid Prescription in Cancer Patients Utilizing Telemedicine: A Retrospective Study. Pain Management. 2023; . doi: 10.2217/pmt-2023-0036.
