Pharmacists Kseniya Chernushkin and Karen Ng are supporting prescribers and other pharmacists in the appropriate use of opioids in pain management through the Fraser Health Pain and Opioid Stewardship app, the first of its kind in British Columbia.
Kseniya and Karen are a part of the Fraser Health Opioid Stewardship Program, a pharmacist-led program to optimize opioid use in pain management to prevent the development of future opioid use disorders.
The realization that there was a lack of practical resources for prescribers to make clinical decisions on the optimal use of opioids and management of pain led Fraser Health to partner with Firstline to create the Fraser Health Pain and Opioid Stewardship app.
"There are many myths about opioids, making it a confusing, stigmatized area that many are wary of touching," says Kseniya. "Our goal was to empower providers by equipping them with evidence-based information that could be updated and expanded through an accessible platform."
Launched in May 2023, the Fraser Health Pain and Opioid Stewardship app is the first in British Columbia to introduce free and accessible pain management resources and opioid prescribing knowledge through web and mobile platforms.
Prescribers can access the app and find information on a medication's effectiveness in managing pain. The app also provides statistics on therapeutic effects, such as the number needed to treat for pain and details on adverse effects associated with the medication.
A key feature is the pain management guidance section, which compiles evidence-based recommendations and guidelines, bridging the gap left by outdated or conflicting sources.
"This app is unique, with practical information compiled concisely," says Karen. "We convened with local specialists to review available evidence to create a trusted resource with comprehensive information which clinicians can easily access without sifting through multiple sources.”
The app also includes tools such as assessment criteria and calculators to aid in evaluating pain and treatment options. Drug class monographs are available for comparative analysis to help prescribers select the most suitable medication.
Most recently, patient resources have also been added to the platform to help providers easily share the best and most relevant educational and self-management tools with patients.
Currently, the app has more than 1732 unique users with 688 monthly active users.
It was developed with the assistance of pharmacy students, reviewed by local expert clinicians, and approved by the Fraser Health Opioid Stewardship Advisory Committee.
