Surveys using vignette-based trauma cases that were given to residents showed those from the United States prescribed more postoperative opioids at discharge than residents from two other countries.

“[Orthopedic] residents from the United States are prescribing opioids for postoperative pain in orthopedic trauma more frequently, at higher doses, and for longer periods of time than their international counterparts,” Jason D, Young, BS, told Healio.com/Orthopedics. “Additionally, in some contexts, higher-income countries like the Netherlands are more similar to lower-income countries like Haiti in their postoperative prescribing practices (as compared to the United States).”