Parents’ attitudes toward post-operative narcotic use in pediatric patients

Abstract

ObjectiveTo understand parent perceptions of post-operative narcotic use in the pediatric otolaryngology patient population. MethodsThis was a descriptive survey of caregivers on children being seen in a university pediatric otolaryngology clinic. Caregiver role, age of child, previous exposure to analgesics, choice of analgesics, comfort and concern with narcotic use in this child, knowledge of narcotic side effects, and knowledge about narcotic disposal were included. Comfort and concern questions were scored on a 10-point VAS where the higher numbers indicated more concern/discomfort. Results301 caregivers participated, 84.5% were mothers, 11% were fathers and the rest were custodial grandparents. 45.2% knew someone addicted to narcotics. Respondents were uncomfortable with their child experiencing pain in a hypothetical postoperative situation, with 63.9% having at least some discomfort with it. First choice of medication to treat hypothetical post-tonsillectomy pain was ibuprofen (47.5%) followed by acetaminophen (38.9%). 29.9% were concerned about addiction, and 26.6% were concerned about drowsiness as a sequela of narcotic use. There were significant differences between respondents who knew a person addicted to narcotics and those who did not for comfort using narcotics in their child (VAS median 6.0 versus 5.0, p = 0.025), concern that their child would become addicted to narcotics (VAS median 5.0 versus 2.0, p = 0.001), concern about side effects (VAS median 7.0 versus 6.0, p = 0.007) and concern about having narcotics in the home (VAS median 3.0 versus 0.0, p < 0.001). ConclusionsThe national opioid epidemic exposes more parents to narcotic addiction in the community, which affects their perceptions of pediatric post-operative narcotic use. These experiences may need to be considered when planning postoperative pain management strategies in children.