How Healthcare Providers Can Reduce Stigma to Improve Care for Patients Taking Long-Term Opioid Therapy
January 02, 2024 | Grace DeLeon, Richa Ranade, Jessica Pough
Long-term opioid therapy (LTOT)—often prescribed for chronic pain when other options have proven ineffective—is associated with negative perceptions due to the history of widespread opioid overprescription and the current overdose crisis. This stigma poses a barrier to care continuity for these patients, which is particularly concerning, as abruptly discontinuing such medication can lead to adverse health effects due to physical dependency.
This resource aims to increase awareness among healthcare providers about the stigma surrounding LTOT and emphasizes the importance of addressing it to ensure proper care for individuals dependent on these medications.