Revolutionising back pain care: A/Prof Machado awarded $4.8M to curb opioid overprescriptions in Australian emergency departments
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health
- Apr 29
- 2 min read
Associate Professor Gustavo Machado awarded MRFF funding to tackle opioid overuse for back pain in emergency departments.
A $4.8 million Medical Research Future Fund grant has been awarded to A/Prof Gustavo Machado, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow at the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health in the Sydney Local Health District and the University of Sydney, to lead a major clinical trial testing how to reduce overprescription of opioids for back pain in Australia’s emergency departments.
“Back pain is the sixth most common reason people present to our emergency departments,” said A/Prof Machado. “Despite clear guidelines, too many patients continue to be administered and prescribed opioids, which carry significant risks and are often not effective for this condition.”
The study will be the largest of its kind to investigate the most effective ways to implement evidence-based back pain guidelines in the emergency setting. Using an implementation science approach, the study will test several strategies to improve care and reduce overprescription of opioid medicines.
“This funding is a game-changer and builds on nearly a decade of research aimed at improving the care of people with back pain in emergency departments,” A/Prof Machado said. “Our goal is to shift the culture around back pain management amongst emergency clinicians, ensuring that patients receive safe, effective, and evidence-based care, without unnecessary exposure to opioids.”
Prof Don Nutbeam, Executive Director of Sydney Health Partners, congratulated A/Prof Machado and his team on receiving this grant: “this is extraordinarily important work and exemplifies the kind of translational research and research translation that we are all working for.”
The study is expected to involve 44 emergency departments including 8,800 patients across New South Wales. A/Prof Machado will use an innovative clustered sequential multiple assignment design (c-SMART) testing multiple implementation strategies, such as staff education, audit and feedback processes, and opioid sparing interventions. The findings will inform national policy and practice, aiming to improve outcomes for the millions of Australians affected by back pain.