Knowledge, attitude, and barriers regarding prescribing long-term opioids among Taiwan physicians treating officially registered patients with chronic noncancer pain.

BACKGROUND Prescribing opioids for patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) remains controversial. This study surveyed Taiwanese physicians who were clinically treating CNCP outpatients with long-term opioids. METHODS Anonymous questionnaires investigating the clinical practices, opioid knowledge, attitude, and barriers regarding the prescription of long-term opioids were delivered to 66 physicians treating CNCP outpatients who were officially registered and monitored by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration in 2011. RESULTS All 66 (100%) physicians responded to the survey, comprising 41 (62%) board-certified pain specialists and 25 (38%) non-pain board-certified physicians. Pain specialists treated a greater number of CNCP outpatients and attended more CNCP training courses than non-pain board-certified physicians (97.6% vs. 56.0%, p < 0.001). Most of pain specialists stated that they were familiar with the Taiwan's narcotic regulations for CNCP patients (92.7% vs. 68.0%, p = 0.015). In addition, pain specialists were less likely to skip or reduce the dosage and duration of opioid prescriptions (22.0% vs. 36.0%, p < 0.001). By contrast, non-pain board-certified physicians had significantly less knowledge and a more negative attitude toward opioid prescription. The major perceived barriers were physician's reluctance to prescribe opioids (78% vs. 92%) and an inadequate knowledge of pain management (73% vs. 84%) among all physicians. CONCLUSION Among the Taiwanese physicians treating the officially registered CNCP patients, non-pain board-certified physicians had fewer patients, less knowledge, and an increased negative attitude toward long-term opioid prescriptions. Better education on chronic pain management is needed for improvement of clinical practice.