Table 1.
Preoperative opioid education studies.
| Study | Sample Size | Study Design | Intervention Tested | Type of Surgery | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angioli, R et al. | 190 | Prospective Randomized | Groups were given either verbal or written pre-operative information about pain | Gynecologic Oncology Surgery | Significantly higher satisfaction, lower VAS, lower number of days inpatient, and lower use of pain medication in group receiving written information |
| Chen, S et al. | 92 | Prospective Randomized | Experimental group was given a health education CD and pamphlet, verbal instructions preoperatively, and enhanced postoperative instructions vs. control group that only received verbal instructions preoperatively | Total Knee Arthroplasty | Pain scores for the first 2 days after surgery were significantly lower in patients that were in the experimental group |
| Kurup, V et al. | 1039 | Retrospective | Survey of surgical patients to assess their knowledge and source of information regarding pain and pain control | Elective Surgery (type not specified) | 57% of patients were concerned about experiencing pain postoperatively, 17% had utilized the internet to gather information related to pain and pain control |
| Lemay, C et al. | 1609 | Retrospective | Survey of surgical patients regarding information received regarding pain management prior to surgery | Total Joint Arthroplasty | 44% of patients reported either unhelpful or no information regarding pain management prior to surgery, these patients were associated with worse outcomes at 6 months post-op |
| Louw, A et al. | 1017 | Systematic Review | 13 controlled trials comprising 1017 THA and TKA patients that utilized different educational methods and content prior to surgery | Total Joint Arthroplasty | Pre-op education focused on anatomy and procedural information did not improve post-operative pain management. The study recommends covering pain science, pain management, and communication skills as the studies that did this showed a correlation to lower pain after surgery |
| O'Donnel, KF | 24 | Prospective Randomized | Patients in the experimental group received one-on-one verbal education about pain and opioids vs. control that did not receive any verbal or written education before their cholecystectomy | Outpatient Cholecystectomy | 92% of patients reported severe pain after surgery, Patients in the experimental group reported significantly lower amount of pain |
| Sugai, DY et al. | 135 | Prospective Randomized | The experimental group had two in-person educational sessions focused on “endorphins” and “natural narcotics” as well as risks and side-effects vs the control group that did not receive any pre-operative oral or written education. | Elective outpatient aesthetic procedures | 10% of patients in the experimental group vs. 100% of patients in the control group filled a prescription for hydrocodone at 2 weeks post-op |
| Syed, UAM et al. | 140 | Prospective Randomized | Patients in the experimental group received opioid related preoperative education including a video and handout vs. control that received education regarding surgery. | Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair | Patients in the experimental group received significantly less narcotics than the control. Additionally, the experimental group was more likely (2.2x) to stop narcotic use before the follow-up period of 3 months was complete. |
| van Dijk, JF et al. | 507 | Prospective Quasi-randomized | The experimental group watched an educational film on pain treatment, pain assessment, and postoperative pain vs the control group that watched a control film about the hospitals information system | Elective surgery (ENT, Neuro, Ortho, Plastic, Urology, Eye, Vascular, Cardiothoracic) | Patients in the experimental group had a better understanding of opioids and significantly lower pain scores using the same amount of opioids as patients in the control group |
| Watt-Watson, J et al. | 225 | Prospective Randomized | Patients in the experimental group were given a “pro pain relief” booklet on pain medication and pain control after surgery not intended to decrease use of opioids. vs control that did not receive a booklet prior to coronary artery bypass surgery | Coronary artery bypass graft surgery | No significant differences were found between experimental and control groups |
| Wilson RA et al. | 143 | Prospective Randomized | Patients undergoing TKA were divided into two groups. The experimental group was provided with a booklet, a one-on-one teaching session, and a telephone call about broad symptom management vs. control which had the standard of care protocol. | Total Joint Arthroplasty | Individualizing education content was insufficient to produce a change in symptoms for patients after TKA |
Table 1 contains articles that studied the effects of various educational methods conducted preoperatively on pain/opioid use and the effect these interventions had on post-operative pain scores and opioid use. For each study, the number of subjects, the type of surgery, the details of the intervention, and the primary outcomes are listed.