Opioids

Narcotics, or opioids, are often used to treat pain, including pain associated with work injuries. Yet, abuse of these painkillers has resulted in such a large increase in hospitalizations and deaths that the situation is called an “opioid epidemic.” IWH research looks at optimal opioid prescribing practices for physicians, as well as the use and effects of opioids related to the treatment of work-related injuries in particular.

Featured

A man sitting on a couch holds his shoulder in pain
At Work article

IWH study finds 7 in 10 injured workers still experience pain more than a year after injury

A high proportion of injured workers in Ontario experience persistent pain for well over a year after their work-related injury. According to an IWH study of workers' compensation lost-time claimants, 70 per cent of workers experience pain 18 months after their work injury.
Published: September 30, 2022
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Assessment tools for problematic opioid use in palliative care: a scoping review

Published: Palliative Medicine, May 2021
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Project
Project

Opioid-related harms among Ontario workers: a surveillance tool

This project draws on a unique surveillance program and uses data-linkage to capture current trends in opioid-related harms among Ontario injured workers.
Status: Ongoing
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Prescription opioid overdose and adverse effect hospitalisations among injured workers in eight states (2010-2014)

Published: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, July 2020
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Opioid-prescribing metrics in Washington state: trends and challenges

Published: Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, May 2020
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Journal article

Early high-risk opioid prescribing practices and long-term disability among injured workers in Washington State, 2002-2013

Published: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, May 2020