Related Experiment Videos
Doctor shopping
R Klienschmidt1, J Price, K Caught
1Hospital Alcohol and Drug Services, Royal Brisbane Hospital.
Australian Family Physician
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Doctor shopping for benzodiazepines is common and easy for patients. This study explores how to recognize and counter this concerning practice among patients seeking drug and alcohol treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Addiction Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Benzodiazepine prescriptions have increased.
- Doctor shopping for prescription drugs is a growing concern.
- Patients in drug and alcohol services frequently engage in illicit drug-seeking behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the phenomenon of doctor shopping for benzodiazepines.
- To explore strategies for recognizing and countering benzodiazepine doctor shopping.
- To understand the perspectives of healthcare providers affected by this practice.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving interviews with patients and healthcare providers.
- Analysis of patient self-reported behaviors.
- Exploration of healthcare provider attitudes and experiences.
Main Results:
- Patients reported that obtaining multiple benzodiazepine prescriptions from different doctors was "all too easy".
- Healthcare providers expressed varied attitudes towards patients exhibiting doctor shopping behaviors.
- The study identified common tactics used by patients to obtain multiple prescriptions.
Conclusions:
- Doctor shopping for benzodiazepines is a prevalent issue within drug and alcohol treatment services.
- Effective strategies are needed to identify and manage patients who doctor shop for benzodiazepines.
- Further research is required to develop and implement interventions to curb this practice.