Present Day Misconceptions of Opiate Use for Pain Management

Paper Summary:

This paper sets out to identify the key misconceptions of opiate use, why they still exist and how they affect proper pain assessment by health professionals. It critically analyzes how such misconceptions can affect decisions regarding the use of opiate analgesics. Additionally, evidence is described to dispel each misconception. Furthermore, strategies are discussed that can break down the barriers related to opioid utilization.

Outline:
Common Opioid Misconceptions
Dispelling Misconceptions
Suggested Alternative Solutions and strategies
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Unrelieved pain is a serious and neglected public health problem, causing unjustified suffering for patients (Cleeland, 1997). For countless people, sufficient pain relief relies greatly on the use of opioids and yet they will refrain from using such forms of treatment because of false, mistaken ideas. This paper sets out to identify these key misconceptions of opiate use, why they still exist and how they affect proper pain assessment by health professionals. It will critically analyze how such misconceptions can affect decisions regarding the use of opiate analgesics. Additionally, evidence will be described to dispel each misconception. Furthermore, strategies will be discussed that can break down the barriers related to opioid utilization. Signs and symptoms of pain, methods of pain assessment, causes of pain and types of opioids will not be referred to in this paper"

Sample of Sources Used:

• DeAngelis. (2003). Pain management. JAMA, 290, 2480-2481.
• Carr, D.B., Reines, H.D., & Schagger, J. (2005). The impact of technology on the analgesic gap and quality of acute pain management. Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 30, 286-291.
• Ersek, M., & Poe, C.M. (2004). Pain in Medical-surgical nursing-assessment and management of clinical problems (pp. 131-159.). St. Louis: Mosby; 2004.
• Pasero,C. McCaffery M. (2004). American Journal of Nursing. Comfort-function goals., 104 (81).
• Cleeland, C.S. (1997). Pain and treatment of pain in minority patients with cancer, the Eastern cooperative oncology group minority outpatient pain study. Annual Internal Medicine, 127.

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