Trends of opioid prescription in cancer patients utilizing telemedicine: a retrospective study.

Prescribing patterns among healthcare practitioners remain a recurring theme of interest in the opioid crisis. This study aims to provide insight on opioid prescribing patterns for cancer pain in telemedicine and in-person encounters during COVID-19. A retrospective chart review of 1000 encounters (500 telemedicine and 500 in-person) at an academic tertiary care comprehensive cancer center. On average, overall, significantly higher narcotics (in morphine milligram equivalents [MME]) prescribed for patients receiving telemedicine services. In-person encounters had a significantly higher proportion of narcotic (in MME) increases in subsequent visits. Our institution continues to adapt telehealth services as an additional care venue and deeper insight helps mitigate development of maladaptive opioid prescribing patterns.