Many Physicians Not Using Drug Monitoring Programs

A new study found that a significant amount of doctors are not using the prescription drug monitoring databases provided to them to stop patients “shopping” for medication.

The Johns Hopkins University researchers discovered that while 72 percent of doctors are aware of their state’s databases, only 53 percent actually logged into it (Ackerman, 2015). Fifty-eight percent of the doctors who don’t use the databases stated that “time constraints” were the main cause and 28 percent stated that “their state’s systems weren’t easy enough to use” (Ackerman, 2015).

For those who do use the databases, 98 percent found them to be extremely useful and 75 percent stated the program helped them cut back on their opioid prescriptions.

References

Ackerman, M. (2015). Nearly half of doctors don’t use prescription drug monitoring databases. Retrieved from http://www.thefix.com/content/nearly-half-doctors-dont-use-prescription-drug-monitoring-databases

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