Table 2 Top 16 Outcomes selected by the Evaluation Working Group (n = 14)

1. Amount of weak and strong opioids prescribed by jurisdiction and per patient with CNCP

2. Assessment of pain using a validated pain scale or another validated method

3. Discontinuation or tapering in patients experiencing adverse effects or insufficient opioid effectiveness

4. Concomitant prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids

5. Prevalence and incidence of prescription opioid addiction

6. Emergency room visit rates associated with prescription opioid overdose

7. Assessment of patient’s risk of addiction before starting opioid therapy by prescribers, such as use of tools.

8. Use of treatment agreements with patients before initiating opioid therapy for CNCP

9. Monitoring patients on opioid therapy for aberrant drug-related behaviour

10. Use of patient information from prescription monitoring programs to monitor patients on opioid therapy for aberrant drug-related behaviours, where available

11. Acute and urgent health-care facilities’ use of policies to provide guidance on opioid prescribing

12. Safe initiation of fentanyl during an opioid trial using the “stepped approach” for CNCP

13. Mortality rates associated with prescription opioid overdose

14. Types and amounts of adjunctive medications prescribed for CNCP patients taking opioids

15. Effects of CNCP and taking opioids for CNCP on quality of life

16. Prescribing of opioids at or greater than the watchful dose (200 mg of morphine equivalent per day) for CNCP