Table 2 Characteristics of 17 studies that included concepts exploring the experience of prescribing opioids to patients with chronic non-malignant pain

BALDACCHINO 2010 [33]

SCOTLAND, UK

29 physicians

2 focus groups/19 interviews

Framework analysis

To describe physicians’ attitudes and experience of prescribing opioids for chronic non-cancer pain with a history of substance abuse.

BARRY 2010 [34]

USA

23 physicians

Semi-structured interview

Grounded theory

To identify barriers and facilitators to opioid treatment of chronic non-cancer pain patients

BERG 2009 [35]

USA

16 physicians and ‘assistants’

Semi-structured interview

Thematic analysis

To explore providers’ perceptions of ambiguity, and then to examine their strategies for making diagnostic and treatment decisions to manage chronic pain among patients on methadone maintenance therapy.

BRIONES-VOZMEDIANO 2013 [36]

SPAIN

9 mixed HCPs:

(GPs, physicians, physiotherapists, rheumatologists, psychologists, psychiatrist)

Semi-structured interview

Discourse Analysis

To explore experiences of fibromyalgia management, namely diagnostic approach, therapeutic management and the health professional-patient relationship.

ESQUIBEL 2014 [37]

USA

21 family practitioners

In-depth interviews

Immersion-crystallization

To explore the experiences of adults receiving opioid therapy for relief of chronic non-cancer pain and that of their physicians

FONTANA 2008 [38]

USA

9 advanced practice nurses

Semi-structured interview

No specific method identified

To critically examine subjective factors that influence prescribing practices of registered nurses for patients with chronic non-malignant pain.

GOOBERMAN-HILL 2011 [39]

UK

27 general practitioners

Semi-structured interview

Thematic analysis

To explore GPs’ opinions about opioids and decision-making processes when prescribing ‘strong’ opioids for chronic joint pain.

KAASALAINEN 2007 [40]

CANADA

66 mixed HCPs:

(Physicians (n = 9), registered practical nurses)

Semi-structured interviews/focus groups

Grounded theory

To explore the decision-making process of pain management of physicians and nurses and how their attitudes affect decisions about prescribing and administering pain medications among older adults in long-term care.

KAASALAINEN 2010B [42]

CANADA

53 Mixed HCPs:

(15 Registered nurses, 6 registered practical nurses, 4 physicians, 20 unlicensed care practitioners, 2 pharmacists, 2 physiotherapists, 4 administrators)

6 focus groups/interviews

Case-study analysis

To: (1) explore barriers to pain management and those associated with implementing a pain management program in long-term care (LTC); (2) to develop an inter-professional approach to improve pain management in LTC.

KILARU 2014 [41]

USA

61 emergency physicians

Semi-structured interview

Grounded theory

To identify key themes regarding emergency physicians’ definition, awareness, use, and opinions of opioid prescribing guidelines.

KREBS 2014 [43]

USA

14 primary care physicians

Semi-structured interview

Immersion-crystallisation

To understand physicians’ and patients’ perspectives on recommended opioid management practices and to identify potential barriers to and facilitators of guideline-concordant opioid management in primary care.

MCCRORIE 2015 [44]

UK

15 general practitioners

2 focus groups

Grounded theory

To understand the processes which bring about and perpetuate long-term prescribing of opioids for chronic, non-cancer pain.

RUIZ 2010 [45]

USA

19 mixed HCPs:

(14 primary care physicians, 5 nurse practitioners)

3 focus groups 9 semi-structured interviews

Grounded theory

To explore the attitudes of primary care clinicians (PCPs) toward chronic non-malignant pain management in older people.

SEAMARK 2013 [46]

UK

22 general practitioners

Interviews/focus groups

Thematic analysis

To describe the factors influencing GPs’ prescribing of strong opioid drugs for chronic non cancer pain.

SIEDLECKI 2014 [47]

USA

48 nurses

Interviews

Grounded theory

To explore and understand nurses’ assessment and decision-making behaviours related to the care of patients with chronic pain in the acute care setting.

SPITZ 2011 [48]

USA

26 Mixed HCPs:

(23 physicians, 3 nurse practitioners)

Focus groups

Thematic analysis

To describe primary care providers’ experiences and attitudes towards, as well as perceived barriers and facilitators to prescribing opioids as a treatment for chronic pain among older adults.

STARRELS 2014 [49]

USA

28 physicians

Open ended telephone interview

Grounded theory

To understand primary care providers’ experiences, beliefs and attitudes about using opioid treatment agreements for patients with chronic pain.