https://www.statnews.com/2018/04/23/air-force-boldface-opioid-crisis/
This article talks about a former Air Force pilot who decided to change his life path and become a doctor. A few things caught my attention here. First, is the term "doctor shopper". This term makes it seem like any patient can obtain an opioid prescription, a little too easily. Next is the fact that there are still doctors out there who have not yet cut back on their opioid prescriptions. I think doctors should be doing their due diligence before prescribing such painkillers. I like the connection the author uses between flying off a runway and doctors prescribing medications. If something does not feel right, you start using the brakes and slowing down to figure out the root of the problem.
I have heard of "doctor shopper" before. There was a scandal in a nearby town where I used to live a few years back, where some of the nurses/receptionists would recommend one doctor to patients that wanted pain pills, even though other doctors thought their condition/symptoms didn't warrant that high of pain medication. He got caught when a pharmacist noticed a large increase in opioid prescriptions for the same people.
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ReplyDeleteI have also heard the term “doctor shopper” before. I’ve also heard this for patients who shopped around for doctors who prescribe medical marijuana cards. All in all, it definitely says something about how easy it can be for patients to get prescribed a drug they are trying to acquire
DeleteIts amazing how people find out about these doctors who have a tendency to overprescribe or give out these medical marijuana cards more frequently.
DeleteDoctor shopping was made prevalent in the book by Mary Ann. I am not sure how doctors don't have some type of electronic data base that would be able to red flag potential doctor shoppers
ReplyDeleteI like how this connects to our reading and explains the perspective of a doctor who isn't just handing out prescriptions.
ReplyDeleteI strong agree with Sai. The appearance of "doctor shopper" may spur the rampant prescription of drug. Similar situation also mentioned in Dreamland. doctors who oriented to profit tended to prescribe opiates as much as patients asked for.
ReplyDeleteI think it is alarming how easy patients can obtain prescriptions.
ReplyDeleteThe statistics offered in Dreamland give us an additional perspective on the amount and frequency of prescriptions being given to patients throughout the years. All of which, as you mention Todd, are very alarming.
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