Table 2.

Knowledge regarding opioid use in chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). Shown in decreasing order of correct answers in the 2018 survey.

	Year	Frequency of Response, %			Total Responses, n
		Disagree	Agree	No Opinion
A 20% reduction in pain intensity is considered clinically significant (2010). A 30% reduction in pain intensity is considered clinically significant (2018).	2010 2018	18 * 5 †	65 89 *,†	17 6 †	604 167
Pain relief is a more important indicator of opioid effectiveness than functional ability	2010 2018	81 * 86 *	11 7	9 7	604 167
(NEW) Opioid replacement therapy is effective for patients with opioid abuse disorder	2010 2018	NA 14	NA 71 *	NA 15	NA 168
There is evidence from RCTs that opioids are effective in short-term (up to 3 months) relief of CNCP	2010 2018	8 17	75 * 68 *	17 15	603 168
Patients may be safely switched from a high dose of codeine to a fentanyl patch	2010 2018	39 * 65 *,†	46 16 †	16 18	598 168
There is evidence from RCTs that opioids are effective in long-term (over 3 months) relief of CNCP	2010 2018	13 * 53 *,†	69 33 †	17 14	603 167
Some strong opioids provide better pain relief that others	2010 2018	21 * 42 *,†	71 48 †	9 11	603 168
Controlled-release opioids are more effective in controlling pain than immediate-release opioids	2010 2018	27 * 38 *,†	63 50 †	10 11	602 168
Controlled-release opioids have a lower risk of addiction than immediate release opioids	2010 2018	30 * 35 *	64 58	6 8	605 168
(NEW) Medical cannabis is effective for neuropathic pain	2010 2018	NA 26	NA 35 *	NA 39	NA 168
Some strong opioids are more likely to lead to addiction than others	2010 2018	28 * 23 *	63 72	9 5	603 168

Correct answers (*). RCT: Randomized controlled trial. ^† Difference is 10% or larger. “NEW” indicate new statements added to survey in conducted in 2010. NA: not applicable.