Related Experiment Videos

The DEA's Balancing Act to Ensure Public Health and Safety

J T Rannazzisi1

  • 1Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, Alexandria, Virginia, USA. dea.diversion.policy@usdoj.gov

Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|May 17, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Physicians fear government action for prescribing opioids, but the actual risk of punishment for adequate pain management with proper documentation is very small.

Area of Science:

  • Pain Management
  • Medical Policy
  • Opioid Prescribing

Background:

  • Physicians face barriers in providing adequate pain treatment.
  • Fear of government action, including from medical boards and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is cited as a significant barrier for physicians prescribing opioids.

Discussion:

  • The perceived risk of government action for opioid prescription is disproportionately high compared to the actual documented risk.
  • Adequate medical record documentation significantly mitigates the risk of disciplinary action for physicians treating patients with pain.

Key Insights:

  • Physician fear regarding opioid prescribing is a major impediment to effective pain management.
  • The low actual risk of punishment, when documentation is thorough, suggests a disconnect between perception and reality.

Outlook:

  • Addressing physician concerns through education and policy clarification can improve pain treatment.
  • Future strategies should focus on balancing regulatory oversight with the clinical need for opioid analgesics.

Related Concept Videos

Drug Control Governance: Regulatory Bodies and Their Impact01:03

Drug Control Governance: Regulatory Bodies and Their Impact

Drug control governance involves the oversight and regulation of pharmaceuticals to ensure their safety and efficacy while preventing illegal drug use and trafficking. Regulatory bodies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union's European Medicines Agency (EMA), play a central role in this process. These agencies evaluate the safety and efficacy of drugs before they can be marketed. They fund clinical trials and assess the benefits and risks associated with a...
Standards of Care I01:22

Standards of Care I

Federal statutes profoundly impact nursing practice, providing critical guidelines to ensure patient care is equitable, accessible, and of the highest quality. The following laws address distinct aspects of healthcare provision and patient rights:
Standard Precaution01:26

Standard Precaution

Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help prevent the spread of common infectious microorganisms to healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in all healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Ethical Dilemmas II01:30

Ethical Dilemmas II

Resolving an ethical dilemma in healthcare involves a systematic approach that considers every aspect of the issue, respecting both the patient's needs and values and the healthcare professional's ethical obligations. Here are potential steps to resolve an ethical dilemma:
Preventive Healthcare Services01:30

Preventive Healthcare Services

Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include: