| One hundred and twenty-six health care providers (51 nurse practitioners and 75 physicians) in Montana State were surveyed to determine their knowledge and beliefs regarding opioid analgesics, risk associated with using opioid analgesic, knowledge of equianalgesia, and concerns regarding complications of opioid analgesic use for the management of chronic pain. Results indicate that health care providers tend to underestimate the percentage of patients with chronic pain and have great concern about complications of opioids. There was no statistically significant difference between nurse practitioners and physicians scores on opioid classification questions or on the equianalgesia questions. However, the knowledge base in the equianalgesic area is low for both groups. Results of this study indicate a need for improved physician and nurse practitioner education regarding chronic pain and the use of opioids as a potential management plan. |
