"They still deserve for their pain to be controlled": healthcare providers' and community-level stakeholders' perceptions of pain management among cancer survivors with an opioid use disorder.

PURPOSE: To explore healthcare providers' and community-level stakeholders' perceptions of opioid pain management among cancer survivors with a history of opioid use disorder living with cancer-related pain.

METHODS

Using a qualitative methodological approach, healthcare providers and community-level stakeholders providing care to cancer survivors with an opioid use disorder (OUD) were recruited by purposive sampling methods. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews that was subsequently transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Participants were healthcare providers (n = 24) and community-level stakeholders (n = 6). Four themes emerged from the data: (1) cancer survivors with an OUD deserve the right to adequate pain management, (2) healthcare professionals are uncomfortable providing pain management for cancer patients with OUD, (3) cancer survivors with cancer-related pain may suffer unnecessary pain for fear of violating their sobriety, and (4) perspectives on aberrant opioid-related behaviors among cancer survivors.

CONCLUSION

As opioid use disorder is becoming an increasing and co-present condition among patients with cancer, this study contributes important implications for improving care by understanding the views of healthcare providers and community-level stakeholders.