The Influence of Profession, Experience and Geographical Region on Intra‐ and Postoperative Opioid Practice in Denmark: A Post Hoc Analysis of the OPIAID Survey
Authors' conclusion
Clinical profession and regional background contribute to variation in opioid dosing strategies. Nurse anaesthetists and respondents from the North Denmark Region administered significantly and clinically relevant higher doses of opioids. Clinically relevant differences existed between professions and regions regarding opioid dose-adjusting factors.
Study context
- Population
- Anaesthesia personnel in Denmark (5 February-30 April 2024)response rate 48% (2025/4187)
- Participants
- 2,025 participants
- Comparison
- Opioid doses by profession, experience and region
- Primary endpoint
- IV morphine equivalent doses (MEQ) in eight clinical cases; differences ≥ 0.03 mg/kg MEQ clinically relevant
Methodological detailsonline survey, 37-item, regression analyses
- Online survey
- 37-item
- Regression analyses
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
MEQ dose, four intraoperative clinical cases
National average
0.32
average · mg/kg MEQ
Difference, mg/kg MEQ (95% CI)P value
Anaesthesiologists vs Nurse anaesthetistsless; clinically relevant
0.04(0.03–0.04)
P < 0.001< 10 years vs > 10 yearsless
0.01(0.00–0.02)
P = 0.001- North Denmark Region vs National average · more; clinically relevant
- difference 0.07 mg/kg MEQ; P < 0.001
Further findings
MEQ dose, postoperative clinical cases
- Significant dosing differences between short vs long working experience not considered clinically relevant
Dose-adjusting factors
- Clinically relevant differences between professions (preoperative opioid use, age, body weight, alcohol use, chronic pain, ASA classification)
- Clinically relevant differences between regions (chronic pain, body weight, preoperative opioid use, ASA classification, sedation, BMI, nausea)
- Differences ≥ 10% relevant
Original publication
The Influence of Profession, Experience and Geographical Region on Intra‐ and Postoperative Opioid Practice in Denmark: A Post Hoc Analysis of the OPIAID Survey. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. Published 2 April 2026. doi:10.
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