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Martina A Caretta 2022

Martina Angela Caretta

Senior lecturer

Martina A Caretta 2022

Pain Management During West Virginia's Opioid Crisis

Author

  • Treah Haggerty
  • Cara L. Sedney
  • Patricia Dekeseredy
  • Divine Nwafor
  • Henry H. Brownstein
  • Martina A. Caretta
  • Robin A. Pollini

Summary, in English

PURPOSE: Opioid use disorder has caused significant morbidity and mortality resulting in opioid prescribing limiting laws, such as State Bill 273 in West Virginia. The purpose of this study is to explore the impacts of a restrictive opioid prescription law on physicians in medical practice in West Virginia. METHODS: A qualitative study with open-ended semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of physicians in West Virginia. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A preliminary code book was developed by 3 coinvestigators. Interview transcriptions were analyzed with a code-based text search query. Content analysis was utilized as the methodological orientation underpinning for the current work. RESULTS: Interviews were conducted with 20 physicians (10 primary care physicians and 10 specialty physicians) in practice in West Virginia. Physicians identified 5 theoretical domains related to SB273: changing opioid prescribing and documentation requirements; rural socioeconomic disparities; a continuum between chronic pain and substance use disorder; difficulty in balancing patient needs and the concern for diversion; lack of available alternatives to opioids for chronic. CONCLUSION: Prescribing opioids in rural West Virginia is complex due to identified challenges. Recommendations for opioids prescribing legislation include clear messaging of guidelines and recommendations, efforts to address socioeconomic disparities of health and pain, and improved accessibility for treatment of both pain and dependence in rural communities are important areas of growth in the rural health care environment.

Department/s

  • Department of Human Geography

Publishing year

2022-10

Language

English

Pages

940-950

Publication/Series

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM

Volume

35

Issue

5

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

American Board of Family Medicine

Topic

  • Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy

Keywords

  • Chronic Pain
  • Family Medicine
  • Opiates
  • Opioid-Related Disorders
  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Prescriptions
  • Primary Health Care
  • Qualitative Research
  • Rural Population
  • West Virginia

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1557-2625