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Plastic Surgeon Opioid Prescription Patterns: Confronting an Epidemic
Vitali Azouz, M.D., Michael Subichin, M.D., Dylan Childs, M.D.
Summa Health, Akron City Hospital
2018-02-14
Presenter: Vitali Azouz
Affidavit:
I certify that greater than 75% of this project represents the residents efforts and has not been published before.
Director Name: Douglas Wagner
Author Category: Other Specialty Resident
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Background:
The opioid epidemic has prompted researchers to investigate postoperative patient pain satisfaction and outcomes. Currently, there is a paucity of data regarding prescription patterns and beliefs. The purpose of this study is to assess opioid prescription patterns and beliefs among plastic surgeons.
Methods:
An anonymous survey was emailed to 67 plastic surgery programs. The survey queried the prescription patterns for major and minor surgeries. Additionally, the survey investigated the respondent perception on the causes of the opioid epidemic. Survey questions were based primarily on previously validated survey-based studies. Respondent demographics were also collected. Binomial and chi-square tests were used to analyze survey results.
Results:
We received 40 survey responses (4% response rate). The majority of respondents were current residents (57%). Most respondents prescribed greater than 20 (82%) opioid tablets for major procedures, and 10 or less (47%) opioid tablets for minor procedures. Respondents were significantly more likely to report a decrease in opioid tablets minor procedures (77%, p <.01) over the past 3 years; however, this was not noted in prescriptions for major procedures (55%, p>.01). Respondents most often attributed the opioid epidemic to social expectations of being pain free (47%, p<.01).
Conclusion:
Plastic surgeons appear to have responded to the opioid epidemic through prescribing fewer narcotic prescriptions for minor procedures, but not major procedures. Greater initiative and prescription guidelines are needed to decrease opioid prescription patterns among plastic surgeons.
