Opioid prescription patterns among patients who doctor shop; Implications for providers.

摘要: Introduction Patients who doctor shop for opioids are a vulnerable population that present difficult dilemma their health care providers regarding best methods of immediate treatment and how to manage risk harm from opioids. We aim describe compare opioid prescription patterns among high quantity patients shopped, did not (doctor shopping eligible patients), the remaining received prescriptions guide policies use patients. Methods performed cross-sectional descriptive analysis during an 8-year period using California’s de-identified Controlled Substance Utilization Review Evaluation System (CURES) database years 2008–2015. identified prevalence shopped depicted including prescriber characteristics, in comparison aforementioned groups. Doctor was defined by greater than 6 or more at least different prescribers within months time. Results Among 3 million individuals period, 1.3% met shopper definition. These levels chronic with 82% 33% averaging 20 100 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) daily, respectively, 72% 18% group. significant proportion MME 1 main (54%) only 2–5% total episodic providers, despite 88% receiving these providers. Conclusions disorder but represent small fraction those dangerous use. Furthermore, do receive substantial which challenges utility reduction programs curbing this population. results suggest we re-evaluate physician roles focus on referral strategies.