Physician’s Weekly and Dr. Linda Girgis hosted their continuing series of live TweetChats on Wednesday, May 10. The topic discussed was the opioid epidemic taking place in the United States.
Our experts, along with interested patients, talked about a variety of subjects surrounding this topic, which included: opioids most associated with the epidemic, the biggest contributors, red flags of opoid abuse, the biggest obstacles to solving this problem, and much more.
Review the full discussion, and any of our previous chats, by searching #PWChat on Twitter.
Here is the recap of our most recent chat on opioids:
Question 1
Q1: Where do we stand in the US w/ the #OpioidEpidemic? #PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017
A1: We have only recently realized how huge the epidmic is. It will take many years and $ until we see any impact #PWchat
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
A1: In NJ, Governor Christie signed new laws into effcet regarding how health care providers prescribe opioids. Expect more states. #PWchat
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
A1: This gripping @HBO documentary (https://t.co/VRGWrNyqEk) gives a taste of where we stand. Simply devastating!#PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017
A1: Opioid-related mortality rate might even be underestimated, says @CDCgov: https://t.co/jAGRgmLrwd#PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017
Question 2
Q2: What prescription opioids are most associated with the epidemic & why? #PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017
A2: Oxycodone products. They are immediate release and can produce a “high”. Also, have a high street value. #PWchat
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
@physicianswkly A2 #pwchat: which era of the #opioidEpidemic? pre2011: prescribed oxycodone… 2012-14: heroin… 2014-present: #fentanyl.
— Jake McClure, M.D. (@jake_mcclure) May 11, 2017
Question 3
Q3: What are the biggest contributors to the current U.S. opioid epidemic? #PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017
A3: Easy accessibilty, clinicians who over-prescribe for whatever reason, drug diversion, #PWchat (1/2)
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
……. big pharma misinformation, pain scale requiring adequate treatment of pain, Press-Gainey scores. #PWchat (2/2)
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
@physicianswkly @DrLindaMD 3A. Patients seeking opioids #PWChat
— ags (@Ags_win) May 11, 2017
A3: The @HBO documentary (https://t.co/VRGWrNyqEk) seems to blame pharma & docs. Certainly not showing the full picture.#PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017@physicianswkly A3 #PWchat: That’s an outdated narrative. Much of news coverage focuses on 1999-late 2000s stats & miss mark on #opioidEpidemic reality 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/rIvxNz9gnp
— Hoofbeats (@HoofbeatsHealth) May 11, 2017
A3: slightly biased but we need more reimbursement for interdisciplinary care to attack the #opioidcrisis . #pwchat
— Sean Erreger, LCSW (@StuckonSW) May 11, 2017
Question 4
Q4: What red flags of opioid abuse/addiction should clinicians look for? #PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017
A4: Pt histories that don’t fit physical exam, lack of supporting records, past prescription refills, #PWchat (1/2)
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
A4……aking multiple controlled substances, pt. from distant location. #PWchat (2/2)
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
Question 5
Q5: How can clinicians balance providing opioids to those who really need them vs those who are abusing? #PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017
A5: Often hard to do . Pain contracts, random drug tests, reviewing records from other providers, state data bases. #PWchat
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
A5: Most states now have data bases where Rxs for controlled substances can be seen. All clinicians should use these. #PWchat
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
A5: Urine tests effective but easy to cheat on. @GenotoxLabs has potential solution: https://t.co/7XazaUKbrX
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017
Question 6
Q6: What are the biggest obstacles in solving the #opioid crisis? #PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017
A6: Many parients are addicted to these meds; high street value; doctor hopping; lack of services to treat substance abuse. . #PWchat
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
@physicianswkly An @HHSGov secretary who wants us to pray away the addiction. More broadly, the fact that docs spew such nonsense from such high places. pic.twitter.com/bltVnVK7HS
— Ben (@Bootleg_Doc) May 11, 2017a6: very concerned about policy level stuff.. proposed budget has devastating cuts to #ONDCP. #PWchat #opiodcrisis https://t.co/ezy4m8lD8a
— Sean Erreger, LCSW (@StuckonSW) May 11, 2017
Question 7
Q7: What role should the government play, if any, in helping solve #opioidEpidemic? #PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017
T7 Can we stop using “privacy” as an excuse not to have a PDMP? Talking to you, Missouri. #pwchat
— Robert Mahoney (@mahoneyr) May 11, 2017A7: The government should find a way 2 prosecute those diverting & selling these meds. Very ineffective at doing this at the moment. #PWchat
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
Question 8
Q8: How can clinicians help address opioid abuse/addiction on individual, community, & national levels? #PWChat
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) May 11, 2017
A8: On the national level, clinicians can help by using the data bases and pushing for one that crosses state lines. #PWchat
— Linda Girgis, MD (@DrLindaMD) May 11, 2017
Interested in more of our TweetChats? You can read our entire archive and see the schedule of upcoming chats.
TweetChat recaps and upcoming schedule.
