Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care

Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care (한국호스피스완화의료학회)
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Attitudes toward Social Issues Related to Opioid Use among Palliative Care Physicians

  • In Cheol Hwang (Department of Family Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine) ;
  • Seong Hoon Shin (Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University Gospel Hospital) ;
  • Youn Seon Choi (Department of Family Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital) ;
  • Myung Ah Lee (Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • DaeKyun Kim (Department of Family Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Kyung Hee Lee (Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2023.12.29
  • Accepted : 2024.01.26
  • Published : 2024.03.01
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Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated palliative care physicians' attitudes regarding social issues related to opioid use. Methods: An email survey was sent to 674 physicians who were members of the Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care (KSHPC). Results: Data from 66 physicians were analyzed (response rate, 9.8%). About 70% of participants stated that their prescribing patterns were not influenced by social issues related to opioid use, and 90% of participants thought that additional regulations should be limited to non-cancer pain. Under the current circumstances, pain education for physicians is urgently needed, as well as increased awareness among the public. Half of the respondents identified the KSHPC as the primary organization responsible for providing pain education. Conclusion: Palliative care physicians' prescribing patterns were not influenced by social issues related to opioid use, and these issues also should not affect cancer pain control.

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