Opioids prescribing in chronic non-cancer pain Practice Review figure descriptions

This bar graph shows the number of prescriptions for opioids that were prescribed by the GP who received the report, and that were dispensed. The numbers are shown as a rate per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations . The graph includes patients of all ages. The number of opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations is shown on the y-axis, and ranges from 0 to 18 in 2-unit increments. The financial years 2016–17, 2017–18 and 2018–19 are shown on the x-axis.

Two bars are displayed in each financial year. The left bar represents the rate of opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations for the individual GP. The right bar represents the rate of opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations for the median of all GPs in the same remoteness area (RA).

Data for the 75th and 25th percentiles in the GP’s RA are displayed as triangles in each financial year.

The first and second bars represent data for the year 2016–17.

• 5 opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations were prescribed by this GP and were dispensed.
• 5 is the median number of opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations by GPs in the RA.
• the 75th percentile in the RA is 9 opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations, and 25th percentile is 2.

The third and fourth bars represent data for the year 2017–18.

• 6 opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations were prescribed by this GP and were dispensed.
• 5 is the median number of opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations by GPs in the RA.
• the 75th percentile in the RA is 9 opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations, and 25th percentile is 2.

The fifth and sixth bars represent data for the year 2018–19.

• 4 opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations were prescribed by this GP and were dispensed.
• 5 is the median number of opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations by GPs in the RA.
• the 75th percentile in the RA is 9 opioid prescriptions per 100 category 1 Medicare consultations, and 25th percentile is 2.

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This pie graph shows the numbers and proportions of patients who were prescribed opioids by this GP in 2018–19. The sections of the graph show how many patients had dispensed:

• 1 to 2 prescriptions
• 3 to 6 prescriptions
• 7 or more prescriptions.

This is also expressed as a percentage of the total number of patients who were prescribed an opioid by the GP receiving the report, and who had that opioid dispensed in 2018–19.

In 2018–19, this GP had 26 patients who were prescribed at least one opioid that was dispensed. Of these:

• 16 (62%) had 1–2 prescriptions dispensed
• 2 (8%) had 3–6 prescriptions dispensed
• 8 (31%) had 7 or more prescriptions dispensed.

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This graph shows the breakdown by age group of the patients of the GP receiving the report, represented by a black line, as well as a shaded area between the 25th and 75th percentiles for the RA. Patient age groups are displayed on the x-axis and are stratified into: 0–14, 15–29, 30–44, 45–59, 60–74, 75–89 and 90+ years. Number of patients is shown on the y-axis. The range shown is 0–800, increasing in 200 increments.

From 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, this GP had:

• 196 patients aged 0–14 years. The 25th percentile for this age group in the RA is 123 patients and the 75th percentile in the RA is 516 patients.
• 194 patients aged 15–29 years. The 25th percentile in the RA is 125 patients and the 75th percentile in the RA is 489 patients.
• 200 patients aged 30–44 years. The 25th percentile in the RA is 158 patients and the 75th percentile in the RA is 570 patients.
• 271 patients aged 45–59 years. The 25th percentile in the RA is 172 patients and the 75th percentile in the RA is 452 patients.
• 252 patients aged 60–74 years. The 25th percentile in the RA is 129 patients and the 75th percentile in the RA is 338 patients.
• 117 patients aged 75–89 years. The 25th percentile in the RA is 42 patients and the 75th percentile in the RA is 152 patients.
• 13 patients aged 90+. The 25th percentile in the RA is 2 patients and the 75th percentile in the RA is 14 patients.

Return to the Practice Review ─ Opioids prescribing for chronic non-cancer pain

This table shows the total number of unique patients seen by the GP receiving the report between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019. The median for the RA is also provided. Number of patients is stratified into:

• patients who received a Medicare category 1 consultation and
• patients who had a prescription from the GP receiving the report, that was dispensed using a concession card (including those reaching safety net).

From 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, this GP had:

• 1,234 patients who received a Medicare category 1 consultation
  
• 220 patients who had a prescription prescribed by this GP that was dispensed using a concession card (including those reaching safety net).
  

From 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, the median GP in this RA had:

• 1558  patients who received a Medicare category 1 consultation, and
• 302 patients who had a prescription dispensed using a concession card (including those reaching safety net).

Return to the Practice Review ─ Opioids prescribing for chronic non-cancer pain