Attitudes And Perceptions Of Naloxone Administration Among Chronic Pain Patients And First Responders: Implications For Research And Practice

Abstract

Background: As opioid overdoses continue to contribute toward a public health crisis, the need for naloxone treatment by emergency first responders is critical. However, there is limited knowledge about attitudes regarding naloxone from the views of patients potentially at risk for overdose in addition to first responders who administer naloxone. Methods: This cross-sectional survey investigates the attitudes of first responders and chronic pain patients on opioid medications to better understand their perceptions of naloxone administration. El-igibility for patients included: ages ≥18, chronic pain (3 months or longer), and currently taking opioid medications. First responders were identified through the statewide EMS association in Penn - sylvania. Data collected included demographics, psychosocial characteristics, and perceptions on naloxone administration. De- scriptive and univariate statistics were calculated to characterize both cohorts and assess their attitudes on the efficacy of naloxone administration. Results: A total of 237 participants completed the survey (120 chronic pain patients and 117 first responders). Patients were sig nificantly more likely (96%, P=<0.001) than first responders (56%) to agree that providing naloxone to first responders would save lives. While 30% percent of patients (N=37) agreed that distrib uting naloxone would encourage people to use even more opioid analgesics, there were nearly twice as many (N=69; 60%) first re - sponders who agreed with this statement (P=<0.001). Conclusion: These data help to characterize and highlight the dif- ferences of the perceptions and attitudes of chronic pain patients and first responders towards naloxone administration, illuminating critical areas of health education. Further, these data can help in form the field to identify areas of training for both first responders and chronic pain patients.