“I’m Not Abusing or Anything”: Patient–physician communication about opioid treatment in chronic pain

摘要: A B S T R C Objective: To characterize clinical communication about opioids through direct analysis of clinic visits and in-depth interviews with patients. Methods: This was a pilot study 30 patients chronic pain, who were audio-recorded in their primary care interviewed after the visit pain relationship physicians. Emergent thematic guided data interpretation. Results: Uncertainties opioid treatment for particularly addiction misuse, play an important role communicating treatment. Three patterns responding to uncertainty emerged conversations between physicians: reassurance, avoiding opioids, gathering additional information. Results are interpreted within framework Problematic Integration theory. Conclusion: Although it is well-established that poses numerous uncertainties, little known how physicians navigate these uncertainties. illuminates ways which face communicatively collaboratively. Practice implications: Acknowledging confronting uncertainties inherent critical skills taking Many behaviors documented this may serve as model training communicate effectively opioids.