Abstract
An international panel of pain specialists including physicians and health policy scholars met to discuss the impact of fear of opioids on the clinical use of these strong analgesics. Recognizing potential risk from opioids, the panel members concluded that irrational fear of the drugs often impedes their appropriate use. The need for education among clinicians was recognized and the panel concluded that while progress has been made, much remains to be done to correct unfounded fears and misconceptions that impede provision of opioid analgesia when it is indicated.
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Notes on contributors
Daniel B. Carr
Cherokee Layson-Wolf, PharmD, is Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. At the time that this review was conducted, she was a Community Care Pharmacy Practice Resident at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Perry G. Fine, MD, is Professor of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine and Associate Medical Director, Pain Management Center at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City; and National Medical Director, VistaCare, based in Scottsdale, AZ. This commentary is based on an article in Dr. Fine's VistaCare Palliative Medicine Monitor.