Substance use history is associated with lower opioid use for emergency department pain management.

Introduction: In the current national opioid crisis, where 10% of the US population has or has had a substance use disorder (SUD), emergency department (ED) clinicians are challenged when treating pain in the ED and when prescribing pain medications to these patients on discharge as there is concern for contributing to the cycle of addiction. The objective of this study was to examine whether acute pain is treated differently in patients with and without current or past SUD by quantifying the amount of opioid analgesia given in the ED and prescribed on discharge.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients presenting to a 60,000-visit tertiary referral ED with acute fracture between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019.

Survey Assessing Medical Student and Physician Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Opioid Crisis.

Background: There is a national opioid misuse and overdose crisis. Consensus guidelines seek to inform practice and reduce risk; however, effect on clinician attitudes and knowledge remains unclear.

Methods: We surveyed 228 medical students and physicians in Wisconsin to assess their knowledge regarding at-risk patients, alternatives to opioids, and best treatment practices for opioid addiction.