Opioid Requirements After Discharge following Surgery

After surgery, many patients are given a supply of opioid pain medicines to take home. However, because it is hard to predict exactly how much pain each person will experience, opioids are often prescribed in larger quantities than needed. Unused opioids in the home can be misused, accidentally taken by others, or lead to dependence if taken longer than necessary. This study surveys patients one week after going home from surgery to find out how much of their prescribed opioid they actually used. The data collected — including the type of surgery, the amount of opioid prescribed, how much was used, and whether any pain crises occurred — will be used to build a prediction model. The goal is to help surgeons prescribe more accurately in the future, reducing leftover opioids in the community while ensuring patients have enough for pain relief. You may be eligible if you are 18 years or older, have had or are planning to have elective surgery, are able to give consent, and can respond to a survey by smartphone or phone call one week after discharge. There are no other significant exclusion criteria.