Interview study of users of opioid medication for chronic pain, v1.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative interview study to examine the experiences of long-term high-dose opioid medication for chronic non-cancer pain in patients and their family members or carers.
IRAS ID
239824
Contact name
Rob Poole
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
BCUHB
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, days
Research summary
Little is known about the effects of continuous use of high doses of opioid medication for chronic non-cancer pain. Experience from clinical services suggests that it is unlikely to be effective in reducing pain whilst being harmful to functioning and quality of life. At the point where patients approach services for help with problems which may be related to their medication use it is often difficult to understand how these problems came about. A study of the experiences of chronic pain and high-dose drug use in patients and, where relevant, their carers would help an understanding of which people use high doses; how and why this use develops and continues; the effects these drugs have on the health and lives of people who take them; and which patients, if any, experience benefits from their use. Such understanding would assist in the prevention and treatment of the problems associated with continuing high-dose opioid medication use.
Participants will be recruited through secondary care services and asked to take part in a confidential interview, lasting approximately an hour.REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
18/WA/0065
Date of REC Opinion
23 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion