Awareness of Opioid-Related Adverse Effects and Opioid-Sparing Preferences Among Medical Students and Interns: A Cross-Sectional Study

Yahia Albashtawi⁽¹⁾ • Sama A. Shadid⁽²⁾ • Celeen Al Dabbas⁽³⁾ • Mera M. Damiri⁽⁴⁾ • Amal l. Alawadat ⁽⁵⁾ • Layan Alamir⁽³⁾ • Zainab S. Satea⁽⁶⁾ • Nizar Habash⁽⁵⁾ • Bassel F. Qiqieh⁽³⁾ • Sumaya H. Tamimi⁽⁷⁾

Published: April 04, 2026      

Published in Cureus Journal:10.7759/cureus.106428

Google Scholar Index: scholar/1/0.7759/cureus.105587

PubMed Index: PMC12398324

Abstract

Background

Opioid-related adverse effects and inappropriate opioid prescribing remain major contributors to preventable morbidity. Medical education plays a crucial role in shaping early prescribing behaviours, particularly among future healthcare professionals. However, data on opioid-related awareness and opioid-sparing preferences among medical students and interns in Middle Eastern settings remains limited.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the level of awareness of opioid-related adverse effects and attitudes toward opioid‑sparing strategies among medical students and interns in Jordan. A secondary objective was to examine which aspects of medical training were associated with higher knowledge levels.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study among medical students and interns (n = 250) in Jordan. Data were collected between September 2025 and November 2025 using an anonymous, self-administered online survey distributed via social media platforms and university email lists. A convenience sampling approach was used, supplemented by snowball sampling through medical student networks. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, prior pain management education, knowledge of opioid-related adverse effects, and attitudes toward opioid-sparing strategies. Knowledge was measured using four multiple-choice items and summarized as a total knowledge score (0-4). High knowledge was defined a priori as a score of ≥75% correct responses (3 or 4 out of 4). Attitudes were assessed using Likert-scale items (range 4-20). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations between participant characteristics and high knowledge level were examined using chi-square tests.

Results

The mean knowledge score was 2.68 ± 0.90, with 19.2% of participants classified as having high knowledge. Correct response rates across individual knowledge items ranged from 58.0% to 74.0%. The mean attitude score toward opioid-sparing approaches was 14.98 ± 1.94, indicating generally favourable attitudes. No significant associations were observed between high knowledge level and training stage (χ²(2) = 0.263, p = 0.877), completion of surgical rotation (χ²(1) = 1.549, p = 0.213), or prior pain education (χ²(2) = 1.079, p = 0.583).

Conclusion

Medical students and interns demonstrated moderate knowledge of opioid-related adverse effects alongside generally positive attitudes toward opioid-sparing strategies. However, higher knowledge was not associated with the training stage or prior educational or clinical exposure. These findings suggest a potential need for more structured and clinically integrated opioid education early within undergraduate medical curricula. 

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