Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #63

Abstract It is well known that the opioid abuse epidemic is a major problem in public health worldwide, and more specifically, in the United States. In 2021, the CDC reported that approximately 75% of all drug overdose deaths in the United States were related to opioid use. It has also become widely accepted in the medical community that the use of dexmedetomidine in anesthesia may provide an opioid-sparing analgesic effect. Therefore, we undertook research into the potential opiate-sparing properties of dexmedetomidine for abdominal and gynecological general anesthesia cases, as well as other risks and benefits associated with its use. The research clearly showed that the use of dexmedetomidine not only could reduce the amount of opiates patients required in the postoperative period, but also showed a decreased in postoperative shivering, 24-hour pain scores, nausea, and vomiting. From this research, educational material was distributed to anesthesia professionals in an attempt to increase their willingness to use dexmedetomidine in their anesthesia practice. Providers then took part in a short, anonymous survey regarding their willingness to use dexmedetomidine in their practice in the future.