Article
Surgery
Hallbera Gudmundsdottir, Daniel S. Ubl, Kathleen J. Yost, Halena M. Gazelka, Elizabeth B. Habermann, Cornelius A. Thiels
Summary: The objective of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes before and after the implementation of evidence-based, procedure-specific opioid prescribing guidelines. The study found that although the guidelines successfully reduced opioid prescribing without increasing refill rates, there was still a reluctance to prescribe no opioids after surgery. Rating: 8 out of 10.
Article
Anesthesiology
Lisa K. Sharp, Pooja Solanki, Taylor Boyer, Amanda Vivo, Ibuola Kale, Ashley M. Hughes, Gretchen Gibson, M. Marianne Jurasic, Charlesnika T. Evans, Katie J. Suda
Summary: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides dental care to veterans and has implemented opioid risk mitigation strategies. This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators of opioid decision making among VA dentists. Interviews were conducted with dentists from high and low opioid prescription facilities, and the results identified potential intervention targets for continued risk mitigation efforts.
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Fizzah Ali, Mark Gabbay, Nick Baillie
Summary: This article discusses recent guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and workplace health. It emphasizes the actions needed to implement NICE guidance in order to aid employees in maintaining good workplace health. Special attention is brought to the unique clinical challenges posed by the pandemic in fitness for work assessments.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hannah Maiden, James Jagroo, Peter Shearn, Anna Wasielewska, Kay Nolan, Nick Baillie
Summary: This article explores how the NICE quality standard on 'Community engagement: improving health and wellbeing' (QS148) can support local areas in pandemic recovery planning, discussing its content and additional resources available for use in the health and care system.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Samantha Anne, James ''Whit'' Mims, David E. Tunkel, Richard M. Rosenfeld, David S. Boisoneau, Michael J. Brenner, John D. Cramer, David Dickerson, Sandra A. Finestone, Adam J. Folbe, Deepa J. Galaiya, Anna H. Messner, Allison Paisley, Ahmad R. Sedaghat, Kerstin M. Stenson, Angela K. Sturm, Erin M. Lambie, Nui Dhepyasuwan, Taskin M. Monjur
Summary: The use of opioids has become an epidemic in the United States, with surgeons being a major prescriber, particularly after surgery. Guidelines focused on improving postoperative pain management in otolaryngologic surgical procedures aim to reduce the risk of opioid use disorder through smaller prescriptions, proper storage, and disposal of unused opioids. Key action statements include identifying patients at risk for OUD, advocating for nonopioid medications as first-line pain management, and educating patients on secure storage and proper disposal of prescribed opioids.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Samantha Anne, Sandra A. Finestone, Allison Paisley, Taskin M. Monjur
Summary: This summary explains pain management and careful use of opioids after common otolaryngology operations, providing guidelines for patients needing pain treatment within 30 days after surgery. The recommendations may not be universal but can aid shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
David R. Axon, Megan Grieser
Summary: This study investigates the variables associated with multimorbidity status among older US adults with self-reported pain and opioid use. The study finds that individuals aged 50-64, Hispanic, employed, and those who exercise frequently have lower odds of having multimorbidity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Anesthesiology
Melanie Hamilton, Wing S. Kwok, Arielle Hsu, Stephanie Mathieson, Danijela Gnjidic, Richard Deyo, Jane Ballantyne, Michael Von Korff, Fiona Blyth, Chung-Wei Christine Lin
Summary: In response to the overuse of prescription opioids, clinical practice guidelines support reducing or stopping opioid use in patients with chronic noncancer pain. This study evaluated and compared international guidelines on opioid reduction in these patients. Results showed agreement on when and how to deprescribe opioids, but lacked guidance on managing withdrawal symptoms, monitoring outcomes, and coprescribing sedatives. Quality assessment highlighted the need for more discussion on implementation and dissemination.
Article
Rheumatology
Ian C. Scott, James Bailey, Chris White, Christian D. Mallen, Sara Muller
Summary: This study found that opioid prescribing is common in the management of inflammatory arthritis (IA) pain, despite limited evidence of efficacy and potential harms.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Z. Jason Qian, Jennifer C. Alyono, Michael C. Jin, Shayna P. Cooperman, Alan G. Cheng, Karthik Balakrishnan
Summary: The study assesses national trends in opioid prescription following pediatric tonsillectomy, showing a decrease in the percentage of children receiving opioids from 2009 to 2017, but no significant change in the mean quantity prescribed. Prescriptions were influenced by factors such as age, household income, comorbidities, and race, highlighting the need for guidance in opioid prescribing practices for children after tonsillectomy.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ofelia Leiva-Vasquez, Luz M. Letelier, Luis Rojas, Paola Viviani, Joel Castellano, Antonio Gonzalez, Pedro E. Perez-Cruz
Summary: This randomized study found that adding acetaminophen to hospitalized cancer patients who were already using strong opioids for moderate to severe pain did not improve pain control or reduce total opioid use.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jordana Laks, Daniel P. Alford, Krupa Patel, Margaret Jones, Emily Armstrong, Katherine Waite, Lori Henault, Michael K. Paasche-Orlow
Summary: The survey revealed that the majority of respondents perceive patient provider agreements (PPAs) as minimally effective in reducing opioid misuse, yet still valuable. However, the readability level of PPAs is generally above recommended standards, primarily focusing on communicating consequences of non-compliance.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
Gabriela Cedillo, Mary Catherine George, Richa Deshpande, Emma K. T. Benn, Allison Navis, Alexandra Nmashie, Alina Siddiqui, Bridget R. Mueller, Yosuke Chikamoto, Linda Weiss, Maya Scherer, Alexandra Kamler, Judith A. Aberg, Barbara G. Vickrey, Angela Bryan, Brady Horn, Angela Starkweather, Jeffrey Fisher, Jessica Robinson-Papp
Summary: This study developed and tested a CDC Guideline implementation strategy (TOWER) in an outpatient HIV-focused primary care setting. The results showed that primary care providers using TOWER were more adherent to the CDC Guideline and it did not worsen patient outcomes. This study provides a method for promoting the implementation of the CDC Guideline.
ADDICTION SCIENCE & CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Matthew J. Heron, Nkechi A. Nwokorie, Bonnie O'Connor, Ronald S. Brown, Adriane Fugh-Berman
Summary: This study investigated dentists' prescribing habits and beliefs regarding opioids. The results showed that although many dentists believed that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-acetaminophen combinations were equally or more effective than opioids, a significant proportion of dentists still regularly prescribed opioids. Additionally, some dentists prescribed excessive amounts of opioids, and a substantial number of patients misused or diverted opioids.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Kao-Ping Chua, Chad M. Brummett, Rena M. Conti, Amy S. Bohnert
Summary: In 2019, 3.5% of US children and young adults had >= 1 dispensed opioid prescription, with nearly half being high risk prescriptions. The high-volume prescribers accounted for a large portion of high-risk prescriptions and targeted interventions may be needed to address this issue.
Article
Oncology
Alison Tree, Clare Griffin, Isabel Syndikus, Alison Birtle, Ananya Choudhury, John Graham, Catherine Ferguson, Vincent Khoo, Zafar Malik, Joe O'Sullivan, Miguel Panades, Chris Parker, Yvonne Rimmer, Christopher Scrase, John Staffurth, David Dearnaley, Emma Hall
Summary: CHHiP is a randomized trial evaluating the use of moderately hypofractionated radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer. The study found no significant differences in efficacy between different hormone therapy regimens, but bicalutamide preserved erectile function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Emma J. Chapman, Simon Pini, Zoe Edwards, Yousuf Elmokhallalati, Fliss E. M. Murtagh, Michael I. Bennett
Summary: Effective symptom management in specialist palliative care requires a coordinated, multi-faceted, sequential approach involving engagement, partnership, decision-making, and delivery. Barriers include team discordance and lack of understanding about symptom management. Shared decision-making and coordination by a multi-disciplinary team are key components of effective symptom management.
BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mark Taubert, Lauren Bounds
Summary: In Wales, strategic approaches have been implemented for future care planning, including the creation of a national repository of resources, forms, and education formats. This caters to the diverse needs of the Welsh population and provides multiple options for different scenarios.
BMJ SUPPORTIVE & PALLIATIVE CARE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Health Care Sciences & Services
Matthew John Allsop, Karen Chumbley, Jacqueline Birtwistle, Michael Bennett, Lucy Pocock
Summary: Digital technologies support advance care planning and care coordination in palliative and end of life care, but evidence is limited. The Electronic Palliative Care Coordination Systems (EPaCCS) in England are an ongoing development, and research is needed to determine their usefulness for patients with chronic and progressive illnesses.
BMJ SUPPORTIVE & PALLIATIVE CARE
(2022)
Review
Oncology
William Goodman, Anne-Marie Bagnall, Laura Ashley, Desiree Azizoddin, Felix Muehlensiepen, David Blum, Michael Bennett, Matthew Allsop
Summary: This review examines the extent of patient engagement with telehealth interventions in patients with advanced, incurable cancer. The findings indicate that while patients are generally accepting of telehealth, the level of engagement varies. The study also reveals a direct proportional relationship between intervention intensity and patient engagement, as well as the mode of delivery.
Article
Oncology
Salim M. Makhlouf, Shenaz Ahmed, Matthew Mulvey, Michael Bennett
Summary: This survey evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and potential barriers of nurses and physicians in Libya regarding cancer pain management (CPM). The results showed that nurses had higher attitudinal barriers to CPM compared to physicians, and participants with higher educational levels had lower barrier scores. The survey suggests the need for professional education and training to address barriers and improve knowledge and attitudes towards CPM in Libya.
JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Saurab Sharma, Cassie Higgins, Paul Cameron, Inosha Bimali, Tim G. Hales, Michael Bennett, Lesley Colvin, Blair H. Smith
Summary: This study translated and validated the Self-report version of the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS-NP) in Nepali, and found that it is a comprehensible, internally consistent, and valid instrument to screen for pain of predominantly neuropathic origin (POPNO) in individuals with chronic pain and low levels of literacy. This research could potentially contribute to the development of neuropathic pain research and clinical care in resource-limited settings with a high prevalence of chronic pain.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Karen Neoh, Andrew Page, Nicolas Chin-Yee, Carolyn Doree, Michael Bennett
Summary: This study aims to provide a pragmatic overview of the approaches to investigate and manage anaemia in palliative care patients. Evidence supports patient-centred investigation of anaemia, with a more restrictive approach to blood transfusion and avoidance of routine use of oral iron and erythropoetin stimulating agents (ESAs). Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of IV iron in these patients.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Yu Fu, Emma J. Chapman, Alison C. Boland, Michael Bennett
Summary: This review provides a practical overview of severe COPD and evidence-based recommendations for its management. The recommended interventions by guidelines are not always supported by high-quality evidence. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of certain interventions.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Roberta Jordan, Yousuf ElMokhallalati, Lynsey Corless, Michael Bennett
Summary: Patients with liver disease face difficulties in accessing end-of-life care, with a higher percentage of them dying in hospitals and receiving less specialized palliative care compared to those with malignant liver disease. Caregivers of patients with non-malignant liver disease were less likely to rate the quality of end-of-life care as outstanding/excellent.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Primary Health Care
Yousuf ElMokhallalati, Emma Chapman, Samuel Relton, Michael Bennett, Lucy Ziegler
Summary: Recently, there has been a focus on providing good-quality end-of-life care for patients living at home. This study used data from a national survey in England to determine the characteristics of good-quality end-of-life care for home-based patients. The results showed that patients who had good continuity of primary care and palliative care support experienced better overall quality of end-of-life care. Patients with cancer and those who died outside of hospital were more likely to receive good end-of-life care. Older age, being female, living in areas with lower socioeconomic deprivation, and being White were associated with better overall end-of-life care.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Letter
Health Care Sciences & Services
Karen Neoh, Andrew Page, Nicolas Chin-Yee, Carolyn Doree, Michael Bennett
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ellen Haire, Catherine Bralesford, Joanna Botting, Elizabeth Beasant, Mark Taubert
Summary: This quality improvement project aimed to enhance DNACPR documentation in a Welsh National Health Service trust. A clinical review cycle was conducted, evaluating 100 DNACPR forms. The introduction of a new national form improved documentation of discussions with patients and reasons for lack of conversations.
BMJ SUPPORTIVE & PALLIATIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Paul Keeley, Mark Taubert, Emma Wardle, Simon Tavabie, Ollie Minton
Summary: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of medical practitioners referred to as 'top doctors' in the UK press. An observational study was conducted using publicly available databases to analyze news stories related to the term 'top doctor'. The results showed that 80% of 'top doctors' were male, with a median qualification time of 31 years. There was a wide distribution of 'top doctors' among different specialties, and 21% of them were general practitioners.
Article
Primary Health Care
Yousuf ElMokhallalati, Emma Chapman, Samuel D. Relton, Michael I. Bennett, Lucy Ziegler
Summary: Receiving good continuity of primary care and palliative care support, as well as dying outside of hospital, are characteristics of good-quality end-of-life care for patients living at home. Being older, female, from areas with less socioeconomic deprivation, and being White are associated with better overall end-of-life care. However, disparities still exist for patients from minority ethnic groups and living in areas of socioeconomic deprivation.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
(2023)
