As the opioid crisis continues to escalate, officials turn attention to the multitude of factors that contribute to the problem. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office is taking greater strides to crack down on physicians who inappropriately and/or overprescribe opioids and other controlled substances to patients. Physicians are not exempt from penalties that carry up to 40 years in prison when prescribing patterns result in a patient’s death.
Though the practice of prescribing opioids is not new, the belief in taking aggressive measures to significantly minimize pain has resulted in a patient population that believes pain should be eliminated as part of the patient experience. Patient satisfaction relating to how pain is controlled has contributed to the opioid epidemic. As physicians work to meet patient demands, the potential for some patients to abuse their prescriptions increases.
The solution seems simple – stop overprescribing potentially addictive medications – but the problem is far more complex. Patients are not always forthcoming and may lie to their physician. This can lead the physician to ask the wrong questions and write an inaccurate prescription. Physicians cannot ask the right questions or decide on the right course of treatment without all of the facts.
Further, the problem extends beyond the medicine itself. Once the prescription is issued, the physician must diligently manage the treatment of the patient. Without pain contracts and other treatment protocols in place, opioid misuse can easily fall under the radar.
For physicians and practices seeking a proactive approach to ensuring that they are not contributing to the epidemic, continuing education is the best first step. The Controlled Substance & Opioid Prescribing Educational Program from the nationally recognized LifeGuard Program provides a comprehensive educational experience led by leaders in chronic pain management and addiction medicine. The course meets the criteria for education and training often recommended by state boards of medicine when a disciplinary action is indicated. LifeGuard also offers practice monitoring to ensure that the learning has translated into practice modification within the physician’s office. Contact LifeGuard to start your proactive approach today.
To find out more about opioid overprescribing and how LifeGuard’s nationally recognized program can help, visit PAMED’s new article discussing the topic in more detail, call (717) 910-4109 or email [email protected] today.
