Provider Reactions to Opioid-Prescribing Report Cards

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate prescribers' reactions and self-reported intentions to change prescribing behavior in response to opioid-prescribing report cards.

Design: We surveyed a sample of licensed prescribers in the state of Colorado registered with the state's prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).

Setting: In 2018, Colorado disseminated tailored opioid-prescribing report cards to increase use of the PDMP and improve opioid prescribing. Report cards reflected individual prescribing history and compared individuals with an aggregate of others in the same specialty. Surveys were sent to approximately 29 000 prescribers registered with the PDMP 12 weeks after report card distribution. If respondents were not sent a report card, they were shown a sample report. Respondents were asked about their perceptions of the usefulness of the information and intentions to change their prescribing.

Participants: A total of 3784 prescribers responded to the survey.

Main outcome measures: Respondents were asked about their attitudes and reactions to an opioid-prescribing report card. Answers were given in the form of a 5-point Likert scale or multiple-choice questions.

Results: Of those who responded, 53.6% were male and nearly half (49.5%) had spent more than 20 years in practice. Among prescribers who recalled receiving a report card, most felt the reports were easy to understand (87.4%) and provided new information (82.8%). Two-thirds of prescribers who saw their reports felt the information accurately reflected their prescribing practices. Overall, 40.0% reported they planned to change their prescribing behaviors as a result of the information provided. The most useful metrics identified by prescribers were the number of patients with multiple providers and the number of patients receiving dangerous combination therapy.

Conclusions: Overall, perceptions of the usefulness and accuracy of the report cards were positive. Understanding how the reports are perceived is a key factor to their use and influence. Further tailoring of the report to prescribers of different specialties and experience may enhance the effectiveness of the report cards.