Table 1.

Semistructured interview guide.

Question category	Description
Introduction (Questions 1a–1c)	Please tell me about yourself. For example, how long have you been working as a pharmacist? What is your understanding of chronic pain? For example, how do you define it? Approximately, what percentage of your patients have chronic pain disorders (e.g., headache, low back pain, diabetic neuropathy, etc.)?
Feelings (Question 2)	Generally speaking, how do you feel when you are approached by patients with chronic pain disorders? What is different with other patients, if anything? How do you feel when asked for over-the-counter medications that do not need prescription? How do you feel when patients have a prescription for pain (including opioid medications)?
Concerns of patients about pain and opioids (Question 3)	In your experience, what are the main concerns of patients with chronic pain, pain intensity (disability), difficulty in communication with health providers, medications, and perception of other people? How do you address these concerns?
Opioids (Questions 4a–4d)	What are your concerns about dispensing opioids? For example, intoxication safety, adverse effects, dependence and addiction. How do you address these concerns with patients and prescribers? How do you respond when you are approached by an opioid-seeking patient? What is your reaction? What concerns have patients expressed about use of opioids? For example, stigma, cost, addiction, and side effects. Do you see resistance to use or overuse of opioids among your patients? How do you discuss these issues with patients? Are you aware about tools that guides these discussions?
Communication (Questions 5a–5c)	What is your experience with communicating your recommendations to prescribers? In your opinion, how effectively can a pharmacist work with other health professionals (prescribers) in improving care for patients with chronic pain? How do you communicate with prescribers or other health professionals about your patients with chronic pain? How does a prescriber communicate with you about their concerns related to their patients with chronic pain? What concerns are usually discussed with other health professionals about patients with chronic pain? For example, about prescribers’ opioid prescribing practices, safety issues (type of opioids), efficacy, legal or financial issues, and coverage. What are the barriers to communicating your concerns with prescribers? Are prescribers difficult to reach, not receptive, or uncommunicative about the treatment plan? How do you feel (what is your experience) about communication with prescribers in this concern? When do you refer patients to other health care professionals? How do you refer patients to other health care professionals?
Challenges (Questions 6a–6b)	What are the main complexities in dealing with/dispensing a prescription for patients with chronic pain? In comparison to other patients, what barriers do you encounter with patients with chronic pain? For example, fear of dispensing opioids, safety, and legal issues. In comparison to other patients, what differences do you encounter in patients with chronic pain? In your opinion, to what extent can you help patients with chronic pain improve or relieve their pain? In your opinion, what role should pharmacists play in helping patients with chronic pain?
Education (Questions 7a–7c)	In your opinion, do pharmacists need more training regarding chronic pain in order to fully address patients’ needs? What kind of training do you think you would need? For example, scientific issues (knowledge, patient assessment), communication skills, legal issues, and pharmacy practice models. Why? Do you think (What are your ideas about) the educational material in theory and practice that were/are taught in school about chronic pain can address the skills required for the practice of chronic pain management? What are your suggestions for improving or advancing pharmacists’ skills and proficiency in providing or dealing with chronic pain management? In school? In practice?