Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Navigating Outpatient Opioid Prescribing

Joanna Chen; Debora Afezolli; Ebtesam Ahmed; Karen Bullock; Eve Easton; Lorin Fisher; J Janet Ho; Judith Paice; Rebecca Rodin; Grant Smith; Gregg Robbins-Welty; Laura Gelfman

doi:10.1177/10966218261462632

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Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Navigating Outpatient Opioid Prescribing

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Navigating Outpatient Opioid Prescribing

Joanna Chen, Debora Afezolli, Ebtesam Ahmed, Karen Bullock, Eve Easton, Lorin Fisher, J Janet Ho, Judith Paice, Rebecca Rodin, Grant Smith, …

Journal of palliative medicine

06/27/2026

DOI: 10.1177/10966218261462632

PMID: 42363735

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Abstract

Opioid management for symptom relief in serious illness is a core aspect of palliative care (PC) practice, with additional complexities to consider when prescribing in the outpatient setting. Safe and timely access to necessary opioids for patients depends on clinicians writing accurate prescriptions, navigating health care insurance(s), planning for potential medication shortages, and close collaboration with outpatient pharmacies. Access should be supported by, and balanced with, appropriate risk-mitigation strategies, including regular clinical assessments, thoughtful medication selection to minimize adverse effects, and ongoing education for patients and clinicians. This article-written by an interprofessional team of PC-trained physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, clinical practice nurses, and social workers-summarizes ten practical tips for navigating outpatient opioid prescribing.

opioid safety

transitions of care

opioid prescribing

opioid access

outpatient palliative care

Details

Title: Subtitle: Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Navigating Outpatient Opioid Prescribing
Creators: Joanna Chen - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Debora Afezolli - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Ebtesam Ahmed - St. John's University
Karen Bullock - Boston College
Eve Easton - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Lorin Fisher - University of Iowa
J Janet Ho - University of California, San Francisco
Judith Paice - Northwestern University
Rebecca Rodin - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Grant Smith - Stanford Medicine
Gregg Robbins-Welty - Grady Memorial Hospital
Laura Gelfman - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of palliative medicine
DOI: 10.1177/10966218261462632
PMID: 42363735
NLM abbreviation: J Palliat Med
ISSN: 1557-7740
eISSN: 1557-7740
Publisher: Sage
Grant note: National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation National Institute on Aging: R03 AG082996 American Cancer Society: CSDG-23-1151579-01-HOPS Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at Mount Sinai: P30AG028741-07
Lorin Fisher is supported by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation. Rebecca Rodin is supported by the National Institute on Aging (grant no.: R03 AG082996), the American Cancer Society (grant no.: CSDG-23-1151579-01-HOPS), and the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at Mount Sinai (P30AG028741-07).
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 06/27/2026
Academic Unit: Pharmacy Practice and Science
Record Identifier: 9985176750702771

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