Improving Surgical Patient Knowledge and Safe Use of Opioids

Improving Surgical Patient Knowledge and Safe Use of Opioids

Opioids are commonly prescribed for surgical patients to treat moderate to severe pain after surgery. However, opioids can be associated with serious complications such as respiratory depression and death. Currently, it is not routine practice to educate surgical patients about the risks of opioids and how to safely use opioids after surgery. The investigators have developed an educational pamphlet specifically for surgical patients to educate them about the safe use of opioids. The objective of this pilot study is to determine the usability and readability of an educational pamphlet about the safe use, proper storage and disposal of opioids. The educational pamphlet will be modified based on the feedback from the pilot study and subsequently used for a randomized controlled trial.

Twenty participants presenting to the preoperative clinic will be recruited for the pilot study. After informed consent is obtained, patients will be given an opioid knowledge questionnaire to complete before the education. They will then be given an educational pamphlet to review. After they have reviewed the educational pamphlet, they will complete the same opioid knowledge questionnaire. They will also complete a questionnaire evaluating the patient educational pamphlet. The pamphlet will be modified based on the feedback from the patients in the pilot study.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥18 years adults
2. Proficient in English
3. scheduled for elective surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who are on opioids for chronic pain
2. Patients have taken opioids in the past 30 days
3. Patients who are unable to read and understand English -