I think the policy should be very simple. Doctor's who prescribe narcotic pain medicine should have a standard one page form to give to patients describing the possible harmful side-effects of narcotic pain medicine (i.e. dependence and addiciton). A signed copy of said form should provide the doctor with complete protection from government action for prescribing pain medicine.
"I think the policy should be very simple. Doctor's who prescribe narcotic pain medicine should have a standard one page form to give to patients describing the possible harmful side-effects of narcotic pain medicine (i.e. dependence and addiciton). A signed copy of said form should provide the doctor with complete protection from government action for prescribing pain medicine."Most pain management specialists that I know of do this....we call it a "narcotic contract". It also specifies other things, such as that the patient agrees to have his narcotic regimen managed by only that particular physician.
This step was almost made necessary by the fear of federal and state agents prosecuting physicians in their attempt to alleviate chronic pain.
I wouldn't practice these days any other way...