William Becker, MD
Professor
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Locations
Research Summary
My research broadly pertains to improving quality of care of patients with chronic non-cancer pain in primary care. Specific areas of interest include:
- Observational studies to assess benefit and harm of pain treatments
- Development and testing of interventions to improve quality and safety of pain treatment
- Implementation research to improve uptake of high-quality, evidence-based pain treatment
Coauthors
Research Interests
Analgesics, Opioid; Internal Medicine; Chronic Pain
Selected Publications
- Focus on Function: Aligning Patient Values with Clinician Reassessment of Long-Term Opioid TherapyEdmond S, Becker W. Focus on Function: Aligning Patient Values with Clinician Reassessment of Long-Term Opioid Therapy. Journal Of General Internal Medicine 2024, 1-2. PMID: 38806796, DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08821-8.
- Prescription Opioid Dose Change Prior to Fatal Opioid-Detected Overdose.Kazemitabar M, Howell B, Becker W, Lin H, Grau L, Heimer R, D'Onofrio G, Hawk K, Fiellin D, Black A. Prescription Opioid Dose Change Prior to Fatal Opioid-Detected Overdose. Journal Of Studies On Alcohol And Drugs 2024 PMID: 38775307, DOI: 10.15288/jsad.24-00026.
- Initial Feasibility of a Randomized Controlled Trial for Long-Term Opioid Therapy Tapering via the Summit ProgramSchneider V, Wesolowicz D, Moore B, Becker W, Edmond S. Initial Feasibility of a Randomized Controlled Trial for Long-Term Opioid Therapy Tapering via the Summit Program. Journal Of Pain 2024, 25: 71. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.01.323.
- Identifying provider, patient and practice factors that shape long-term opioid prescribing for cancer pain: a qualitative study of American and Australian providersFereydooni 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.
- Efficacy of Integrating the Management of Pain and Addiction via Collaborative Treatment (IMPACT) in Individuals With Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial of a Digital Cognitive Behavioral TreatmentMacLean R, Ankawi B, Driscoll M, Gordon M, Frankforter T, Nich C, Szollosy S, Loya J, Brito L, Ribeiro M, Edmond S, Becker W, Martino S, Sofuoglu M, Heapy A. Efficacy of Integrating the Management of Pain and Addiction via Collaborative Treatment (IMPACT) in Individuals With Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial of a Digital Cognitive Behavioral Treatment. JMIR Research Protocols 2024, 13: e54342. PMID: 38506917, PMCID: PMC10993119, DOI: 10.2196/54342.
- Pain Care at Home to Amplify Function: Protocol Article.Black A, Edmond S, Frank J, Abelleira A, Snow J, Wesolowicz D, Becker W. Pain Care at Home to Amplify Function: Protocol Article. Substance Use & Addiction Journal 2024, 29767342241236032. PMID: 38469833, DOI: 10.1177/29767342241236032.
- Long-term opioid therapy trajectories in veteran patients with and without substance use disorderAxson S, Becker W, Merlin J, Lorenz K, Midboe A, C Black A. Long-term opioid therapy trajectories in veteran patients with and without substance use disorder. Addictive Behaviors 2024, 153: 107997. PMID: 38442438, PMCID: PMC11080947, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.107997.
- The design and baseline characteristics for the HOPE Consortium Trial to reduce pain and opioid use in hemodialysisDember L, Hsu J, Bernardo L, Cavanaugh K, Charytan D, Crowley S, Cukor D, Doorenbos A, Edwards D, Esserman D, Fischer M, Jhamb M, Joffe S, Johansen K, Kalim S, Keefe F, Kimmel P, Krebs E, Kuzla N, Mehrotra R, Mishra P, Pellegrino B, Steel J, Unruh M, White D, Yabes J, Becker W, Consortium F. The design and baseline characteristics for the HOPE Consortium Trial to reduce pain and opioid use in hemodialysis. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2023, 136: 107409. PMID: 38086444, PMCID: PMC10922728, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107409.
- The Association of Prescribed Opioids and Incident Cardiovascular DiseaseSung M, Eden S, Becker W, Crystal S, Duncan M, Gordon K, Kerns R, Kundu S, Freiberg M, So-Armah K, Edelman E. The Association of Prescribed Opioids and Incident Cardiovascular Disease. Journal Of Pain 2023, 25: 104436. PMID: 38029949, PMCID: PMC11058015, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.11.019.
- Are opioids effective analgesics and is physiological opioid dependence benign? Revising current assumptions to effectively manage long‐term opioid therapy and its deprescribingManhapra A, MacLean R, Rosenheck R, Becker W. Are opioids effective analgesics and is physiological opioid dependence benign? Revising current assumptions to effectively manage long‐term opioid therapy and its deprescribing. British Journal Of Clinical Pharmacology 2023 PMID: 37990580, DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15972.
- Paths Forward for Clinicians Amidst the Rise of Unregulated Clinical Decision Support Software: Our Perspective on NarxCareBuonora M, Axson S, Cohen S, Becker W. Paths Forward for Clinicians Amidst the Rise of Unregulated Clinical Decision Support Software: Our Perspective on NarxCare. Journal Of General Internal Medicine 2023, 39: 858-862. PMID: 37962733, PMCID: PMC11043299, DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08528-2.
- A Tool to Identify and Engage Patients on Risky Opioid RegimensGriffin A, Perez T, Avoundjian T, Becker W, Midboe A. A Tool to Identify and Engage Patients on Risky Opioid Regimens. Applied Clinical Informatics 2023, 14: 1018-1026. PMID: 38151042, PMCID: PMC10752654, DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777126.
- NIH HEAL Common Data Elements (CDE) implementation: NIH HEAL Initiative IDEA-CCAdams M, Hurley R, Siddons A, Topaloglu U, Wandner L, Adams M, Arnsten J, Bao Y, Barry D, Becker W, Fiellin D, Fox A, Ghiroli M, Hanmer J, Horn B, Hurlocker M, Jalal H, Joseph V, Merlin J, Murray-Krezan C, Pearson M, Rogal S, Starrels J, Bachrach R, Witkiewitz K, Vasquez A. NIH HEAL Common Data Elements (CDE) implementation: NIH HEAL Initiative IDEA-CC. Pain Medicine 2023, 24: 743-749. PMID: 36799548, PMCID: PMC10321760, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnad018.
- Group Visits for Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution in Primary Care: A Pilot Quality Improvement InitiativeSpelman JF, Peglow S, Schwartz AR, Burgo-Black L, McNamara K, Becker WC. Group Visits for Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution in Primary Care: A Pilot Quality Improvement Initiative. Pain Medicine 2017, 18: 2325-2330. PMID: 29045696, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnx243.
- Multiple Sources of Prescription Payment and Risky Opioid Therapy Among VeteransBecker WC, Fenton BT, Brandt CA, Doyle EL, Francis J, Goulet JL, Moore BA, Torrise V, Kerns RD, Kreiner PW. Multiple Sources of Prescription Payment and Risky Opioid Therapy Among Veterans. Medical Care 2017, 55: s33-s36. PMID: 28410338, DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000722.
- Abuse-Deterrent Opioid Formulations — Putting the Potential Benefits into PerspectiveBecker WC, Fiellin DA. Abuse-Deterrent Opioid Formulations — Putting the Potential Benefits into Perspective. New England Journal Of Medicine 2017, 376: 2103-2105. PMID: 28564568, DOI: 10.1056/nejmp1701553.
- Evaluation of an Integrated, Multidisciplinary Program to Address Unsafe Use of Opioids Prescribed for PainBecker 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.
- Barriers and facilitators to use of non-pharmacological treatments in chronic painBecker WC, Dorflinger L, Edmond SN, Islam L, Heapy AA, Fraenkel L. Barriers and facilitators to use of non-pharmacological treatments in chronic pain. BMC Primary Care 2017, 18: 41. PMID: 28320337, PMCID: PMC5359906, DOI: 10.1186/s12875-017-0608-2.
- Ultra–High-Dose Opioids With Low Efficacy and Significant Harm—Time to Make a Change: A Teachable MomentGuillod P, Edens EL, Becker WC. Ultra–High-Dose Opioids With Low Efficacy and Significant Harm—Time to Make a Change: A Teachable Moment. JAMA Internal Medicine 2017, 177: 17-18. PMID: 27893881, DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.7344.
- Prescribing opioids in primary care: Safely starting, monitoring, and stoppingTobin DG, Andrews R, Becker WC. Prescribing opioids in primary care: Safely starting, monitoring, and stopping. Cleveland Clinic Journal Of Medicine 2016, 83: 207-215. PMID: 26974992, DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.83a.15034.
- Initial development of patient-reported instrument assessing harm, efficacy, and misuse of long-term opioid therapyBecker WC, Fiellin DA, Black AC, Kostovich CT, Kerns RD, Fraenkel L. Initial development of patient-reported instrument assessing harm, efficacy, and misuse of long-term opioid therapy. The Journal Of Rehabilitation Research And Development 2016, 53: 127-136. PMID: 27006339, PMCID: PMC4806533, DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2014.11.0285.
- Trends in Any and High-Dose Opioid Analgesic Receipt Among Aging Patients With and Without HIVBecker 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.
- Buprenorphine/Naloxone Dose and Pain Intensity Among Individuals Initiating Treatment for Opioid Use DisorderBecker 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.
- Federal plan for prescriber education on opioids misses opportunities.Becker WC, Fiellin DA. Federal plan for prescriber education on opioids misses opportunities. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2012, 157: 205-6. PMID: 22868838, DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-157-3-201208070-00448.
- Nonmedical Use of Opioid Analgesics Obtained Directly From Physicians: Prevalence and CorrelatesBecker WC, Tobin DG, Fiellin DA. Nonmedical Use of Opioid Analgesics Obtained Directly From Physicians: Prevalence and Correlates. JAMA Internal Medicine 2011, 171: 1034-1036. PMID: 21670373, DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.217.
- Racial Differences in Primary Care Opioid Risk Reduction StrategiesBecker WC, Starrels JL, Heo M, Li X, Weiner MG, Turner BJ. Racial Differences in Primary Care Opioid Risk Reduction Strategies. The Annals Of Family Medicine 2011, 9: 219-225. PMID: 21555749, PMCID: PMC3090430, DOI: 10.1370/afm.1242.
- 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.
- Systematic 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.
- The Association Between Chronic Pain and Prescription Drug Abuse in VeteransBecker 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.
- Systematic review: opioid treatment for chronic back pain: prevalence, efficacy, and association with addiction.Martell BA, O'Connor PG, Kerns RD, Becker WC, Morales KH, Kosten TR, Fiellin DA. Systematic review: opioid treatment for chronic back pain: prevalence, efficacy, and association with addiction. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2007, 146: 116-27. PMID: 17227935, DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-146-2-200701160-00006.
Clinical Trials
Conditions | Study Title |
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COVID-19 Inpatient; COVID-19 Outpatient; Mental Health & Behavioral Research; Pain Control | Engaging Veterans Seeking Service-Connection Payments in Pain Treatment (PragmaticSBIRT) |