A Patient-Centered Intervention to Improve Opioid Safety (ISOP)

This is a randomized controlled trial of a multifaceted intervention designed to improve the safety of opioid prescribing. The specific aims of this study are to: (a) evaluate whether a multifaceted intervention (Improving the Safety of Opioid Prescribing; ISOP) enhances opioid safety, (b) assess whether participation in ISOP impacts the clinician-patient relationship, and (c) explore to what extent ISOP is associated with changes in pain and pain-related function.

The investigators will randomize primary care providers (PCPs) at the VA Portland Health Care System to either ISOP or the control condition; patients will be nested by clinician status. All PCPs who enroll will participate in either a two-hour educational workshop or the two-hour educational workshop + nurse care manager (NCM). The NCM will maintain a registry of enrolled patients, track opioid medication-related events from the medical record, and provide decision support to PCPs for issues related to prescription opioid safety. The NCM will also meet individually with enrolled participants to discuss strategies for preventing/reducing opioid side effects, preventing diversion, and providing rationale for screening for prescription opioid misuse. The investigators will recruit patients who are already prescribed chronic opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain. Participants will be enrolled for one year. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, and 6 and 12 months after enrollment.

opioid safety, opioid misuse, opioid abuse, patient-centered, opioid, opiate, chronic pain, primary care, Veteran, clinical care

Primary care providers and PACT nurses will participate in the same workshop as those randomized to the control condition (or academic detailing for those unable to attend the workshop). Clinicians randomized to the intervention will additionally collaborate with a nurse care manager (NCM) who will maintain a registry of enrolled patients, track UDT administrations and results, query prescription drug monitoring databases, monitor other evidence of potential problems, and collaborate with expert consultants to provide decision support when patients have evidence of prescription opioid misuse or abuse. The NCM will also meet with patients to discuss methods to reduce opioid adverse effects, prevent misuse, and provide rationale for prescription opioid adherence monitoring.

A Nurse Care Manager (NCM) will maintain a registry of enrolled patients, track opioid medication-related events from the medical record, and provide decision support to Primary Care Providers for issues related to prescription opioid safety. The NCM will also meet individually with enrolled participants in the intervention group to discuss strategies for preventing/reducing opioid side effects, preventing diversion, and providing rationale for screening for prescription opioid misuse.

The Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) is an assessment of self-reported risk of prescription opioid misuse. There are 17 items, each rated on a scale of 0 (never) to 4 (very often). Total scores range from 0 - 68, with higher scores indicating a greater risk of prescription opioid misuse.

Participants will complete urine drug tests (UDTs) to evaluate for presence of substances. UDTs will evaluate for cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opioids, and opiates. Study results are dichotomous.

The Chronic Pain Grade is a 7-item self-report measure that provides global scores of pain intensity and function. Scores for each subscale range from 0 - 100. Higher scores indicate more severe pain or more impairment in function. Pain intensity and function were tested in a non-inferiority analysis.

The Trust in Physician Scale is an 11-item self-report measure. Scores range from 0 - 100, with higher scores indicating greater interpersonal trust between patients and their clinician

The Participatory Decision Making Style is a 4-item self-report measures. Scores range from 0 - 100, where higher scores indicate greater patient involvement in medical decision making.

Inclusion Criteria: Enrollment in primary care at the VA Portland Health Care System Receiving long-term opioid therapy (for at least 3 months) for chronic pain unrelated to a life-limiting disease Able to read and write in English Exclusion Criteria: Age younger than 18 years old On opioid therapy for palliative or end-of-life care Current enrollment in an opioid substitution program Lack of access to a telephone

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