Joint Forum - Prescriptions and Patients

Stakeholder Survey

In December 2025, multiple licensing Boards regulating healthcare providers convened a Joint Forum in-person at California State University, Sacramento and virtually via Webex focusing on clinical and practical challenges practitioners and patients face in accessing medications for opioid use disorder and other controlled substances used to manage pain.

This survey builds on themes raised during the Forum and seeks input from attendees and stakeholders. Your responses will directly inform the planning for next steps, including future educational activities, additional forums, and policy recommendations. The survey takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete. All responses are confidential and will be reported only in aggregate. The survey will be open until Thursday, April 30, 2026.

If you have any issues completing this survey, please contact SOLID@dca.ca.gov.

Question Title

1. Which of the following best describes your primary role? (Select one)

Licensed Professional

Patient/Patient Advocate

Academic/Researcher

Insurance/Payer Representative

Healthcare Administrator

Other (please specify)

Question Title

2. For Licensed Professionals, please share your license type.

Pharmacist

Physician/Surgeon (MD)

Physician/Surgeon (DO)

Dentist

Nurse Practitioner

Physician Assistant

Other (please specify)

Question Title

3. For Licensed Professionals, which best describes your primary practice or work setting?

Independent / Private Practice

Hospital / Health System

Community Health Center / FQHC

Retail / Chain Pharmacy

Independent Pharmacy

Academic Medical Center

Telehealth / Virtual Care

Government / Public Health Agency

Not currently practicing

Other (please specify)

Question Title

4. Did you attend the December 2025 Joint Forum?

Yes, In-Person

Yes, Virtually

I was not aware of the Forum

Question Title

5. Please rank the issues below in order of prioritization in addressing. (1 = Most Important, 6 = Least Important)

Lack of effective communication between healthcare providers

Patient access barriers (pharmacy closures, insurance denials, prior authorization)

Insufficient education/training for providers on pain management

Inadequate integration across health systems and EMRs

Stigma surrounding opioid prescribing and pain patients

Lack of data sharing (e.g., within CURES, across other states)

Question Title

6. Are there additional problems or themes from your experience that were NOT captured at the Forum that the Boards should be aware of and address?

Question Title

7. If you believe there should be another joint forum or summit, what format would be most effective?

In-Person

Virtual

Hybrid (In-Person and Virtual)

Question Title

8. If you believe there should be another joint forum or summit, what length of time would be most effective?

Full-Day

Half-Day

Question Title

9. Do you believe there is an unmet need for formal education or training related to prescription pain management among licensees regulated by the Boards?

Yes, significant unmet need

Yes, some unmet need

Neutral / Unsure

No, current resources are adequate

No opinion

Question Title

10. Do you believe there is an unmet need for formal education or training related to substance use disorder and treatment among licensees regulated by the Boards?

Yes, significant unmet need

Yes, some unmet need

Neutral / Unsure

No, current resources are adequate

No opinion

Question Title

11. Which educational topics do you believe are most urgently needed? (Select up to 3)

Identifying and treating opioid use disorder (OUD)

Interpreting and applying CURES data appropriately

Communication and de-escalation skills

Implicit bias and equitable pain care

Legal and regulatory compliance (related to controlled substances)

Prior authorization navigation

Palliative care and end-of-life pain management

Integrative / non-opioid pain management options

Patient counseling and shared decision-making

Interdisciplinary care coordination

Other (please specify)

Question Title

12. How would you rate the current state of communication between prescribers and pharmacists in your experience?

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Very Poor

No Opinion

Question Title

13. If the current CURES system could be modified to allow for communication between health care providers, would you use such functionally?

Yes

Question Title

14. Should the Boards develop resources or guidance specifically aimed at improving equitable access to pain care for underserved populations?

Yes, High Priority

Yes, Low Priority

No, Not the role of the boards

No Opinion

Question Title

15. Please share any other opinions/guidance/feedback that may assist the Boards in developing the next steps to address the issues brought forward during the Joint Forum.