Table 4 Potential data sources assessed for feasibility, credibility, comparability and understandability on a 5-point scale (1 to 5)
Outcome | Potential Data Source | Feasible*a | Credible*b | Comparable*c | Understandable*d |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Effects of CNCP and taking opioids for CNCP on quality of life | Chart review | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Self-report | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | |
2. Assessment of patient’s risk of addiction before starting opioid therapy by prescribers, such as use of tools. | Chart review | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Self-report | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | |
3. Monitoring patients on opioid therapy for aberrant drug-related behaviour | Chart review | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Self-report | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
4. Prescribing of opioids at or greater than the watchful dose (200 mg of morphine equivalent per day) for CNCP | Administrative database | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
5. Mortality rates associated with prescription opioid overdose | Administrative database | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
6. Prevalence and incidence of prescription opioid addiction | Chart review | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Self-report | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | |
Administrative database | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |
7. Discontinuation or tapering in patients experiencing adverse effects or insufficient opioid effectiveness | Chart review | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Self-report | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
Administrative database | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | |
8. Assessment of pain using a validated pain scale or another validated method | Chart review | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Self-report | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | |
9. Use of treatment agreements with patients before starting opioid therapy for CNCP | Chart review | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Self -report | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | |
10. Use of patient information from prescription monitoring programs to monitor patients on opioid therapy for aberrant drug-related behaviours, where available | Prescription monitoring program(s) | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
11. Emergency room visit rates associated with prescription opioid overdose | Administrative database | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
12. Concomitant prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids | Chart review | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Self-report | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | |
Administrative database | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | |
13. Amount of weak and strong opioids prescribed by jurisdiction and per patient with CNCP | Chart review | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Self-report | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
Administrative database | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | |
14. Acute and urgent health-care facilities’ use of policies to provide guidance on opioid prescribing | Facilities’ policies | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
15. Types and amounts of adjunctive medications prescribed for CNCP patients taking opioids | Chart review | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Self-report | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
Administrative database | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | |
16. Safe initiation of fentanyl during an opioid trial using the “stepped approach” for CNCP | Chart review | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Self-report | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | |
Administrative database | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |