2024
Identifying provider, patient and practice factors that shape long-term opioid prescribing for cancer pain: a qualitative study of American and Australian providers
Fereydooni S, Lorenz K, Azarfar A, Luckett T, Phillips J, Becker W, Giannitrapani K. Identifying provider, patient and practice factors that shape long-term opioid prescribing for cancer pain: a qualitative study of American and Australian providers. BMJ Open 2024, 14: e082033. PMID: 38514141, PMCID: PMC10961503, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082033.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPractice-related factorsLong-term opioid prescribingPrescribed long-term opioid therapyQualitative studyOpioid prescribingQuality of careProvider-related factorsLong-term prescribingPatient’s social contextLong-term opioid therapyAlternative pain therapiesCancer-related painConcurrent qualitative studyDisadvantaged patientsHealthcare interventionsExacerbate disparitiesIdentified providersAustralian providersOpioid practicesSocioeconomic statusSecondary analysisPrescribed opioidsCancer painProvidersPrescribing
2017
Evaluation of an Integrated, Multidisciplinary Program to Address Unsafe Use of Opioids Prescribed for Pain
Becker WC, Edmond SN, Cervone DJ, Manhapra A, Sellinger JJ, Moore BA, Edens EL. Evaluation of an Integrated, Multidisciplinary Program to Address Unsafe Use of Opioids Prescribed for Pain. Pain Medicine 2017, 19: 1419-1424. PMID: 28371816, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnx041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPreliminary efficacyUnsafe useSubstance abuse/dependenceMultidisciplinary care teamSubstance use disorder diagnosisPrimary care physiciansAdvanced practice nursesUrine drug testingLength of treatmentStructured clinical assessmentNurse case managersAbuse/dependenceHealth system levelHigh-complexity patientsElectronic progress notesOpioid prescribedOpioid receiptCare physiciansPractice nursesPrimary careCare coordinationCare teamClinical assessmentCare modelClinic processes
2015
Trends in Any and High-Dose Opioid Analgesic Receipt Among Aging Patients With and Without HIV
Becker WC, Gordon K, Jennifer Edelman E, Kerns RD, Crystal S, Dziura JD, Fiellin LE, Gordon AJ, Goulet JL, Justice AC, Fiellin DA. Trends in Any and High-Dose Opioid Analgesic Receipt Among Aging Patients With and Without HIV. AIDS And Behavior 2015, 20: 679-686. PMID: 26384973, PMCID: PMC5006945, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1197-5.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2014
Buprenorphine/Naloxone Dose and Pain Intensity Among Individuals Initiating Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Becker WC, Ganoczy D, Fiellin DA, Bohnert AS. Buprenorphine/Naloxone Dose and Pain Intensity Among Individuals Initiating Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2014, 48: 128-131. PMID: 25312475, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2014.09.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderNumerical rating scoreBUP/NXPain intensityUse disordersPrimary outcomeBuprenorphine/naloxone doseDecreased pain intensityFull agonist opioidsImproved pain intensityBuprenorphine/naloxoneSubset of patientsSubstance use comorbiditiesChronic pain diagnosesPartial agonist propertiesEligible patientsNX treatmentAgonist opioidsPain levelsNaloxone doseComorbid painMultivariable analysisMaintenance treatmentMean ageClinical correlates
2010
The Safety of Opioid Analgesics in the Elderly: New Data Raise New Concerns: Comment on “The Comparative Safety of Opioids for Nonmalignant Pain in Older Adults”
Becker WC, O'Connor PG. The Safety of Opioid Analgesics in the Elderly: New Data Raise New Concerns: Comment on “The Comparative Safety of Opioids for Nonmalignant Pain in Older Adults”. JAMA Internal Medicine 2010, 170: 1986-1988. PMID: 21149755, DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2010.443.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedAged, 80 and overAnalgesics, OpioidAnti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-SteroidalCardiovascular DiseasesComorbidityContraindicationsCyclooxygenase 2 InhibitorsDrug UtilizationFemaleFractures, BoneGastrointestinal HemorrhageHumansMaleMedicareObservationPainPain MeasurementResearch DesignTherapeutic EquivalencyUnited StatesSystematic review: treatment agreements and urine drug testing to reduce opioid misuse in patients with chronic pain.
Starrels JL, Becker WC, Alford DP, Kapoor A, Williams AR, Turner BJ. Systematic review: treatment agreements and urine drug testing to reduce opioid misuse in patients with chronic pain. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2010, 152: 712-20. PMID: 20513829, DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-152-11-201006010-00004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUrine drug testingOpioid treatment agreementsPrimary care settingOpioid misuseTreatment agreementsChronic painDrug testingEligible studiesCare settingsAberrant drug-related behaviorsDrug abuseMental Health Services AdministrationOpioid misuse outcomesChronic noncancer painCochrane Central RegisterProportion of patientsPrimary care studyControlled Clinical TrialsHealth Services AdministrationDrug-related behaviorsCombination of interventionsNoncancer painDiversity of interventionsOpioid medicationsCentral Register
2009
The Association Between Chronic Pain and Prescription Drug Abuse in Veterans
Becker WC, Fiellin DA, Gallagher RM, Barth KS, Ross JT, Oslin DW. The Association Between Chronic Pain and Prescription Drug Abuse in Veterans. Pain Medicine 2009, 10: 531-536. PMID: 19425211, DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2009.00584.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrescription drug abuseChronic painIllicit drug useDrug abuseMultivariable analysisPrimary careDrug useBehavioral health evaluationPast-year illicit drug usePrimary care patientsBehavioral health assessmentCross-sectional analysisCurrent smokingCare patientsTreatment algorithmMean agePrescription medicationsProbable depressionMultivariable associationsLarge cohortPossible depressionTelephone assessmentPainPatientsYounger age