Understanding barriers to opioid tapering and transition for older patients
Official title: Providers and Older Pain Patients with Prescription Opioid Dependence: A Qualitative Study to Understand Barriers to Opioid Taper, Cessation, and Transition to Buprenorphine.
Funded at Saint Louis University · NIH-10671358 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the difficulties older adults and their doctors face when trying to reduce or stop using prescription opioids and switch to a different medication called buprenorphine, so they can better understand how to improve conversations and decisions about pain management for seniors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Louis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | September 18, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $416,625 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG076812-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10671358 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 50 and above who are currently using prescription opioids and may be experiencing dependence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not using prescription opioids or are younger than 50 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the challenges faced by older patients and their healthcare providers regarding the tapering and cessation of prescription opioids, as well as the transition to buprenorphine. By using qualitative methods, the study aims to gather insights into the beliefs and experiences of both patients and providers, particularly focusing on the unique health risks associated with chronic opioid use in older adults. The goal is to identify barriers that prevent effective communication and decision-making about opioid management in this population, ultimately leading to improved care strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better management of opioid dependence in older patients, reducing health risks and improving overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically targeting older patients in this area, similar qualitative approaches have shown promise in understanding patient-provider dynamics in other populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grucza, Richard a — Saint Louis University
- Study coordinator: Grucza, Richard a
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.