Physician Protect Thyself: The Risks of Liberal Opioid Prescribing - Free No CME-Physician Protect Thyself: The Risks of Liberal Opioid Prescribing (Video)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Don Stater, medical director of the COMPASS Opioid Stewardship Program, introduces an eight-part lecture series aimed at guiding clinicians on responsible opioid prescribing to benefit patients while minimizing risks. He highlights the ongoing opioid crisis in the U.S., noting over one million overdose deaths since 1999, with 75% involving opioids in 2023. The series emphasizes the legal, medical, and practice risks of liberal opioid prescribing, including criminal charges, malpractice suits, medical board actions, and practice exclusion.<br /><br />Dr. Stater discusses historical shifts in opioid prescribing—initial aggressive promotion based on flawed data, followed by a pendulum swing toward recognizing opioid harm. He outlines societal narratives painting addicts as deviant, patients as drug-seekers, and some physicians as drug dealers, contributing to stigma and legal scrutiny.<br /><br />Key risks include dangerous prescribing combinations (opioids with benzodiazepines and muscle relaxers), poor record keeping, and ignoring red flags. He reviews landmark cases, notably Dr. Lisa Seng’s conviction for reckless opioid prescribing and a 2022 Supreme Court ruling raising the bar for criminal liability, requiring intentional wrongdoing.<br /><br />To mitigate risk, clinicians should follow federal and state guidelines, use informed consent and controlled substance agreements, conduct urine drug testing, consult prescription monitoring programs, prescribe naloxone, and maintain thorough documentation. Emphasis is placed on compassionate patient care, avoiding abrupt opioid discontinuation, and addressing addiction responsibly rather than dismissing patients.<br /><br />Dr. Stater concludes with gratitude for clinicians’ dedication to managing chronic pain and opioids safely, encouraging use of COMPASS resources to improve practice efficacy and safety.

Keywords

Opioid Stewardship

Opioid Crisis

Responsible Prescribing

Legal Risks

Medical Risks

Opioid Stigma

Prescription Monitoring

Naloxone

Chronic Pain Management