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Chronic Opioid Therapy and Preventive Services in Rural Primary Care: An Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network Study
David I. Buckley , and colleagues
Background Opioid medication is a controversial treatment for chronic noncancer pain. Prescribing opioids can be time consuming and may detract from other aspects of clinical care. This study examines whether patients who receive opioid therapy for noncancer pain are less likely than other patients to receive preventive services during primary care office visits.
What This Study Found Patients receiving chronic opioid therapy for noncancer pain are less likely to receive some preventive services, particularly screening for cervical or colorectal cancer.
Implications
- Providing appropriate preventive services for patients with chronic pain may present particular challenges.
- Future research should explore the relationships between chronic noncancer pain, chronic opioid therapy, and preventive care to help ensure that patients with chronic pain receive preventive services.