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Abstract

Purpose: To review educational interventions’ impact on providers’ knowledge regarding pain management and opioid painkillers.

Methodology: The literature search took place in January 2018 using three search engines of PubMed, Cochrane, and Psychinfo. The search included articles between the years 2008- February 2018. The keywords consisted of “prescription opioids,” “pain,” “education,” and “practitioners (all fields such as physicians, nurse practitioners, e.g.). The inclusion criterion was conducting an educational intervention regarding pain management and opioids. The exclusion criteria were not having a target population of healthcare providers or had taken place outside the US. The articles Assessment tool was a modified version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) criteria for cohort studies.

Findings: After reviewing the title of possible publications, 505 prospective articles were found. After full review (title, abstract, and full text) of all articles, fifteen published articles were included. All studies reported improved the outcome of providers’ knowledge.

Conclusions. Educational interventions for providers are helpful steps for prescribing opioids safely. The review demonstrates the positive impact of an educational intervention on the health professionals’ knowledge and practice behavior regarding pain management and opioids and the need for similar opportunities.

Recommendations: Educating healthcare professionals about guidelines such as the CDC’s could help to prevent opioid abuse.

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