E-mail Nudges for Safer Opioid Prescribing

Recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Adam Sacarny, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Columbia University

Disqualifiers: No e-mail address

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

7872 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study will test e-mails to encourage engagement with the Minnesota prescription monitoring program (PMP/PDMP) and will evaluate the effect of these e-mails on PMP/PDMP use and controlled substance prescribing.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether participants must stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment PDMP Clinical Benefit E-mail, PDMP Legal Mandate E-mail?

Research shows that sending targeted letters or emails to doctors can reduce the amount of opioids they prescribe. For example, a study found that a letter to doctors in Finland led to a 12.5% decrease in the number of opioid tablets prescribed to new patients. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is it safe to participate in the E-mail Nudges for Safer Opioid Prescribing trial?

The research on prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and related interventions, like e-mail nudges, suggests they are generally safe as they aim to reduce risky opioid prescribing and improve patient safety. These programs have been associated with fewer opioid-related hospital visits and reduced opioid dosages, indicating a positive impact on safety. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does the email nudge treatment for safer opioid prescribing differ from other treatments?

The email nudge treatment is unique because it uses behavioral nudges, delivered via email, to influence doctors' prescribing habits, aiming to reduce excessive opioid prescriptions. Unlike traditional methods that focus on guidelines or education, this approach leverages behavioral economics to subtly encourage safer prescribing practices. ^{2 3 4 5 7}

Research Team

Adam Sacarny, PhD

Principal Investigator

Columbia University

Mireille Jacobson, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Southern California

Tatyana Avilova, PhD

Principal Investigator

Bowdoin College

Eligibility Criteria

This clinical trial is for healthcare providers in Minnesota who prescribe medications. The goal is to see if certain types of emails can influence their use of the prescription monitoring program and change how they prescribe controlled substances.

Inclusion Criteria

Controlled substance prescriber not following state requirements to maintain an active PDMP account, or opioid prescriber not searching the PDMP or infrequently searching the PDMP

Minnesota physician or physician assistant

Exclusion Criteria

No e-mail address available

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

E-mails are sent to encourage engagement with the Minnesota prescription monitoring program (PMP/PDMP)

2 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in PDMP engagement and prescribing behaviors

2 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• PDMP Clinical Benefit E-mail
• PDMP Legal Mandate E-mail

Trial Overview The study tests two kinds of e-mails: one highlighting the legal requirements to use the PMP/PDMP, and another emphasizing its clinical benefits. Researchers will track if these emails affect usage of the PMP/PDMP and prescribing habits.

Participant Groups

Group I: Legal Mandate Messaging Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Clinical Benefit Messaging Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group III: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Columbia University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,529

Recruited

2,832,000+

University of Southern California

Collaborator

Trials

956

Recruited

1,609,000+

Bowdoin College

Collaborator

Trials

5

Recruited

8,300+

Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab

Collaborator

Trials

31

Recruited

273,000+

Minnesota Management and Budget

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

7,900+

Minnesota Board of Pharmacy

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

19,900+

Minnesota Board of Pharmacy

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

19,900+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Peer Data Benchmarking Intervention to Reduce Opioid Overprescribing: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating the effectiveness of email-based nudges to reduce postoperative opioid prescribing: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Behavioral Intervention and Disposal of Leftover Opioids: A Randomized Trial. [2021]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a physician-targeted letter on opioid prescribing. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association of Default Electronic Medical Record Settings With Health Care Professional Patterns of Opioid Prescribing in Emergency Departments: A Randomized Quality Improvement Study. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Mandates: Impact On Opioid Prescribing And Related Hospital Use. [2020]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How do patient, pharmacist and medication characteristics and prescription drug monitoring program alerts influence pharmacists' decisions to dispense opioids? A randomised controlled factorial experiment. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Four States With Robust Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Reduced Opioid Dosages. [2023]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Randomized Trial Of Letters To Encourage Prescription Monitoring Program Use And Safe Opioid Prescribing. [2023]

10. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of unsolicited reporting notifications on providers' prescribing behavior: An experimental study on Maryland PDMP data. [2023]