Improved Treatment for Patients With Long-term Opioid Therapy for Non-cancer Pain in Primary Care

Launched by UPPSALA COUNTY COUNCIL, SWEDEN · Feb 26, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a new approach to help patients who have been using opioids for a long time to manage their chronic pain, which is pain not related to cancer. The main goal is to see if this new method, which focuses on teamwork and putting the patient at the center of care, can reduce how much pain interferes with daily life compared to standard treatment. Participants will be enrolled in a three-phase program where they will first have their medications and pain assessed by a team of healthcare providers, then develop a personalized treatment plan, and finally implement that plan with regular check-ins over six months.

To be eligible to join this trial, participants should be adults aged 18 and older who have been prescribed opioids for at least 90 days in the past year to manage chronic pain. They should also be able to speak either Swedish or English. However, people who have recently been referred to a pain clinic, are not currently using opioids, or have serious mental health issues that affect their ability to give informed consent cannot participate. This trial aims to provide better pain management strategies for those who need it most, ensuring they receive comprehensive, supportive care throughout the process.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Having received the equivalent of 90 days or more prescription of opioids for chronic pain made by the general practitioner during the recent 12 months
• • Able to speak Swedish or English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Having been referred to a pain clinic (either at hospital or multimodal rehabilitation in primary care) within the last 6 months
• • No current opioid use, severe cognitive dysfunction, e.g., suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or dementia, that prevents informed consent.
• • Using their opioids for cancer pain