Best-practice guidelines for BTP, particularly in elderly
patients, are still largely empirical. More research is needed
in the field of BTP, especially to better document alternative
pain management strategies that patients use empirically,
as well as to explore the possibilities of using routes
of administration other than the oral route for opioids, and
to refine our understanding of newer, rapid-onset formulation
opioids. Other avenues for research include patients’
education to better comply with the prescribed opioids and
to ask for rescue therapy in due time. Finally, since legislations
on opioids largely depend on political decisions that
are sometimes made against patients’ benefit, studies on
ethics and the justice to provide adequate treatment to
elderly patients are required.