The Value of Medical Toxicologists

Poisoning is a major public health issue and one of the leading causes of injury related death in the US. Poisonings result from intentional or unintentional use of prescription drugs or illicit overdose including opioids, inhalation of toxic fumes, ingestion of contaminated food or drinking water, and envenomations. The cost of poisonings to US health care is large, especially when considering the costs of addiction and illicit opioids. As specially trained physicians, medical toxicologists play a major role in the treatment and care of poisoned patients while improving patient care, population health, and health care systems related to chemical exposures and poisonings including prevention. They also play a major role in the opioid epidemic and in caring for patients with opioid use disorder and substance use disorders more broadly. Regardless of these important roles, the recognition and knowledge of the value that medical toxicologists provide to health and the health care system is limited. As reimbursement becomes linked to outcome in a value-based care (VBC) market, medical toxicologists must continue to demonstrate their value to stakeholders. The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) has long recognized the need for medical toxicologists to articulate their value and to advocate for themselves, the profession, and for the patients they serve. To that end, modeling infectious disease (ID) efforts in establishing value for their specialty, this paper outlines the 'value' of medical toxicologists in improving patient outcomes, and their positive impact on population health and health care systems.