‘Successful opioid deprescribing is built on trust. Listen to patients, acknowledge that their pain is real, avoid stigmatising language, and involve them in every decision. Patients are much more likely to engage when they feel supported rather than judged,’ Dr Faheem Shakur says in this episode of the Clinical Update podcast.
Dr Shakur explains that while opioids do have a role in the management of acute pain, they should not routinely be used to manage chronic pain. He reviews how primary care teams can identify patients who may benefit from coming off opioids, how best to reduce opioid use while deploying other ways to manage pain, and how to build trust with patients so that they engage in the process.
If an opioid is appropriate, according to Dr Shakur, it should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration with a clear stop date or review date. Patients should be informed, from the beginning, that the opioid will only be used for a limited time.
Educational objectives
After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be more aware of:
You can access the website version of this podcast, along with key learning points, on MIMS Learning. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser and note-taking for appraisal.
Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.
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