Reducing opioid use in primary care using a multimodal pain management protocol

Authors

• Wasia Siddiqui, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Internal medicine

Advisor

Debra munsell

Abstract

The opioid epidemic continues to pose a significant public health burden in the United States, with more than 80,000 opioid-involved overdose deaths reported annually. Primary care providers issue a large proportion of long-term opioid prescriptions for chronic non-cancer pain, making primary care a critical setting for intervention. Long-term opioid therapy is associated with misuse, dependence, overdose risk, and diminished functional outcomes. Current national guidelines recommend multimodal pain management strategies that integrate non-opioid pharmacologic options, behavioral therapies, and complementary approaches to optimize pain control while minimizing opioid exposure. This project examines the implementation of a structured multimodal pain management protocol in a primary care clinic and evaluates its association with changes in opioid prescribing patterns, patient-reported pain scores, functional outcomes, and overall satisfaction with care. By promoting evidence-based prescribing practices and improving access to non-opioid pain strategies, this initiative advances public health efforts to reduce opioid-related harm and enhance the quality of pain management in primary care.

Recommended Citation

Siddiqui W. Reducing opioid use in primary care using a multimodal pain management protocol. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2026; 8(1).