Reducing the stigma of opioid use in cancer pain management
Development and piloting of an intervention to reduce the impact of opioid stigma in cancer pain
This study is working on a friendly program to help people with advanced cancer pain feel more comfortable using opioids, so they can manage their pain better without worrying about the stigma that comes with it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10909030 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to develop and test an intervention designed to reduce the stigma associated with opioid use among patients suffering from advanced cancer pain. It recognizes that while opioids are effective for managing severe pain, the stigma surrounding their use can lead to negative health outcomes, including poor communication with healthcare providers and inadequate pain management. The study will involve gathering insights from diverse patient populations, particularly those from underserved communities, to ensure the intervention is comprehensive and effective. By addressing the emotional and social barriers related to opioid use, the research seeks to improve overall patient well-being and quality of life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with advanced cancer who experience moderate-to-severe pain and may require opioid medications for effective pain management.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have advanced cancer or do not experience significant pain may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management and quality of life for patients with advanced cancer by reducing the stigma associated with opioid use.
How similar studies have performed: While the issue of opioid stigma has been recognized, this specific intervention targeting advanced cancer patients is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bulls, Hailey Waddell — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Bulls, Hailey Waddell
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.