Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology
-
Prescription opioid analgesic misuse and addiction are a significant public health concern in the USA. Through their concurrent roles as prescribers and public health stewards, medical toxicologists (MTs) have a unique perspective on this issue. They represent a physician group with a particular interest in prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) because of their subspecialty knowledge of the negative consequences of opioid overprescribing in terms of misuse, diversion, addiction, and overdose death. ⋯ Barriers to use included time and complexity required to access relevant information. MTs prescribe opioids primarily to patients in the Emergency Department (ED) for acute pain or acute exacerbations of chronic pain. MTs are generally aware of PDMPs, although many were unaware of or not using their state-based PDMPs when prescribing opioids in clinical practice.