Doctors May Hesitate to Accept Patients on Opioids or Cannabis, Study Finds

Finding a primary care physician can be a daunting task for anyone, but new research from the University of Michigan reveals an alarming trend: patients with chronic pain who rely on opioids or cannabis face even greater barriers to accessing care.¹ 

This issue is particularly concerning as these patients often require specialized attention to manage their pain effectively and safely.

Survey of Physicians

Lead author Mark Bicket, MD, and his team surveyed over 1,000 primary care physicians across states with medical cannabis programs. They asked if these doctors were accepting new patients with chronic non-cancer pain.

Of the 852 physicians open to new patients:

• 20% would not accept patients taking prescription opioids.
• 32% would not accept patients using opioids daily.
• 18% would not accept patients using medical cannabis.
• 40% would not accept patients using cannabis from “other sources” (likely the black market).

Increased Risk for Patients

This lack of access to primary care poses serious risks for pain patients. Dr. Bicket, an anesthesiologist and pain researcher at Michigan Medicine, notes that it may push patients towards non-medical treatments to manage their pain, potentially leading to substance misuse.

Dr. Bicket explained that there is a group of patients with chronic pain who have been using opioids for a long time and may need to find a new doctor due to relocation or their previous doctor’s retirement. He emphasized that finding a new physician willing to take on their care can be particularly difficult for these patients.

According to Bricket, “I empathize a lot with the patients, as well as the prescribers out there, trying to treat people in pain because we’re trying to do the right thing, and yet, we’re flying in the dark when it comes to having access to high quality evidence to guide next steps for cannabis and opioids.”^(ref)

A Growing Trend of Limited Access

While the study didn’t investigate the reasons behind physician reluctance, the findings add to mounting evidence of limited care access for patients using cannabis or opioids.

• 2019 PNN Survey: Nearly 72% of chronic pain patients reported difficulty finding a doctor willing to treat their pain.^(ref)
• University of Michigan “Secret Shopper” Study (2019): Only 40% of primary care practices were willing to accept a new patient on opioids.^(ref)

This research paints a concerning picture of the current healthcare landscape for chronic pain patients. It emphasizes the urgent need for policy changes, education for healthcare providers, and destigmatization efforts to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their pain management choices, have equitable access to compassionate and comprehensive primary care.

Without such interventions, these patients may continue to face barriers to care. 

Source:

1. Health Affairs Scholar