Table 2 Contextual perspectives of long-term opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain of participants
Contextual perspective | Participants mentioned: n (%) |
|---|---|
Pain specialists: n = 12 | |
 Specialist does not consider opioids to be first-line treatment | 11 (92%) |
 Specialist considers alternative treatment before starting | 6 (50%) |
 Specialist has concerns about multidisciplinary treatment | 9 (75%) |
 Specialist has concerns about drug misuse | 7 (58%) |
 Specialist reviews patient’s history and drug monitoring program | 8 (66%) |
 Specialist evaluates benefits and harms of continued opioid therapy | 5 (42%) |
Patients: n = 14 | |
 Patient agrees with opioid therapy | 14 (100%) |
 Patient has concerns about potential consequences | 4 (29%) |
 Patient has concerns about opioid side effects | 2 (14%) |
 Patient experiences stigma | 1 (7%) |
 Patient has no worries about opioid addiction | 11 (78%) |
 Patient accepts opioids as treatment for long-term pain | 10 (71%) |
Family members: n = 9 | |
 Family supports continued opioid use | 4 (44%) |
 Family worries about opioid-related side effects | 6 (66%) |
 Family has concerns about addiction | 4 (44%) |
 Family detects opioid-related adverse events | 3 (33%) |
 Family agrees with specialist’s decision | 8 (89%) |