Peer Comparison Feedback on Opioid Prescribing

University of Pittsburgh49 enrolled

Overview

We aim to determine if descriptive normative feedback of peer prescribing reduces opioid analgesic prescribing by emergency medicine providers

State-based Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) are being implemented to reduce prescription drug abuse and diversion. On August 24, 2016, Pennsylvania initiated its mandated PDMP. In prior research, we found that ED providers reduced opioid prescribing by 17% immediately after PDMP went live. Still, there is variability between providers in the frequency of opioid prescribing even after PDMP initiation. Changing clinician prescribing behavior is difficult, but recent research has shown that using peer comparisons can assist behavior change (Meeker D et al., JAMA, 2016). In this study, we will randomize a convenience sample of ED providers to receive either their opioid prescribing history data with peer comparative data or without peer comparative data. We will examine the effect on immediate perceived norms as well as impact on opioid prescribing in the subsequent 3 months. Results could inform behavioral feedback to alter clinician prescribing behaviors

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Opioid Use

Interventions

Personal FeedbackBEHAVIORAL

One-time summary report of their individual history of opioid prescribing over the past 14 months

Peer Normative Comparison FeedbackBEHAVIORAL

One-time summary report of their individual history of opioid prescribing over the past 14 months WITH comparisons to (a) other providers at their site and (2) other providers at all 15 ED sites with similar prescribing

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 99 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Emergency medicine provider * Writes 10 or more opioid prescriptions per month (on average) Exclusion Criteria: * none

Locations (1)

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Emergency Department

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Normative beliefs

How much, relative to other emergency providers, do they prescribe opioids?

Time frame: Pre-post intervention

Number of opioid prescriptions per month

Number of opioid prescriptions written

Time frame: 3-months pre-intervention to 3-months post intervention

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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