Supervisor: Dr. Victoria McCreanor

Co-Supervisors: Prof. Cate Cameron, Prof. Steven McPhail, Prof. Tim Geraghty

Thesis title:  Prevalence, health service encounters and economic burdens associated with opioid use in adult spinal cord injury populations 

Thesis Summary: Chronic and severe pain is highly prevalent following spinal cord injury (SCI). Pain can profoundly impact the lives of people with SCI and as such, is often a clinical management priority. Pharmaceutical management is a common response to pain, in particular, the dispensing of opioid medications. The risks and harms of opioids have been well-established, including misuse, addiction and overdose, and while some research has established higher rates of opioid prescribing among spinal injured cohorts, little is known about the rates and patterns of opioid dispensing among this cohort in Australia. Research also rarely addresses the healthcare use and economic burden associated with opioid prescribing among this cohort. This research will utilise linked pharmaceutical data to address these research gaps. Broadly, this research aims to be a starting point for ensuring effective and safe opioid prescribing practices for people with SCI.