Challenges in pain management and opioid prescribing practices following traumatic injury: a focus group study with orthopedic surgeons and general practitioners.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To explore the experiences of orthopedic surgeons and general practitioners (GPs) in providing pain management, focusing on opioid prescribing practices and follow-up care for trauma patients following orthopedic injuries.

Methods

Four semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted among 18 physicians, two among GPs and two among orthopedic trauma surgeons. Each group consisted of either specialist candidates or experienced specialists. The interviews explored experiences with follow-up care for orthopedic trauma patients, pain management, including opioid use and tapering, and were thematically analyzed.

Results

Four main themes were identified: (1) Navigating post-discharge pain management, where GPs experienced problematic transfer of treatment res

SUBMITTER: Finstad J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12632242 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature