Prescribing Opioid Pain Relievers in the Emergency Department: Understanding and Optimizing the Encounter

Recent studies indicate that emergency department (ED) discharge processes - including written and spoken communications - are inadequate, and patients often leave without the knowledge necessary to properly care for themselves. In the context of opioid pain relievers, this lack of knowledge is potentially dangerous, as patients may not possess the requisite knowledge for safe use of their medication or an awareness of the dangers of medication misuse.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an opioid information sheet and spoken counseling on patient knowledge about opioids and safe use behaviors. The investigators conducted a randomized controlled pilot test of a dual-modality educational intervention (written information sheet and spoken counseling about opioids) to assess if the intervention can increase patient knowledge about opioid pain relievers. These activities were intended to guide future modification of educational interventions and the future development of best practices for emergency physician spoken counseling about opioid pain relievers.

Inclusion criteria

• prescribed an opioid pain reliever
• English Speaking

Exclusion criteria

• Non-English Speaking
• Clinically unstable, psychologically impaired or intoxicated as judged by the research staff member.
• Chronic opioid use, defined as daily or near daily use of opioid pain relievers for the past 90 days.
• admitted to hospital
• unable to complete follow up phone interview in 4 - 7 days.