Physicians are being asked to change their practices and their mentalities regarding prescription painkillers.
Opioids have revolutionized the way we treat pain in America, but they have also brought on a plethora of dangers and negative consequences. Doctors need to consider each patient’s addiction risk factors and medical needs thoroughly before pulling out the prescription pad.
Monitoring and follow-up care should be required for every patient, and access to anti-addiction medication (such as Buprenorphine) must be made available to all who need it. Until physicians make these changes, the opioid endemic is going to continue.
Read more here: http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2016-03-31/doctors-can-do-more-to-fight-addiction