Table 3.

Clinician-Centered Strategies That Address Clinician Concerns

Clinician concern	EMPOWER method that addresses the concern
Lack of training around opioid tapering protocols	- Background science and training provided - Core philosophies, principles and supports are standardized - Clinician manual provides a step-by-step guide that is flexible to meet the needs of individual patients - CHOIR Opioid Tapering Tools offers structured tapering plans that may be tailored
Unsure how to approach patients about tapering	- Clinician manual includes talking points and language to engage patients in a conversation about collaborative tapering
Lack of time to engage in opioid tapering research	- Clinician manual includes streamlined screening tools to help clinicians efficiently select the most appropriate treatment pathway, and clinical note templates. - CHOIR system automates data on patient-reported outcomes.
Patient problems during tapering will be overwhelming	- EMPOWER methods are designed to minimize patient discomfort, distress and problems. - Symptoms are assessed weekly by the research team and automated responses help patients know what actions they can take and what actions the clinic will take to address them.
Under-resourced	- Study coordinators manage the research aspects of EMPOWER so clinicians are free to focus on clinical aspects of tapering and pain care.
Ill-equipped to manage patient distress or emotions	- EMPOWER clinicians and their referral sources are offered pre-recorded tapering communication webinars and individualized professional coaching as needed (at no cost to the clinician) to gain essential skills for identifying and responding to patient negative emotions, and managing clinicians’ own discomfort during opioid tapering conversations.