Question

Michael has arrived for his second visit near the end of the day’s office hours. He does not have an appointment, but claims to be suffering from extreme back pain. On his last visit he was given a prescription for an opioid analgesic. He says that he is new to the area, his records from his previous physician have not arrived at your office, and when asked for contact information, he promises instead to contact the office himself when he gets home. • How would you handle this situation

Answer 1

Healthcare providers should carefully evaluate patients like Michael who seek opioid analgesics without an appointment or medical records, balancing pain management with the risk of opioid misuse. It is necessary to verify previous treatments, consider non-addictive alternatives, and document all interactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Handling a Patient Reporting Extreme Back Pain

If a patient, such as Michael, arrives without an appointment and is in extreme pain or claims to need opioid analgesics, healthcare providers must tread carefully due to the potential risks of opioid misuse and addiction. It's important to take a detailed medical history, try to verify his previous treatment by contacting his former physician, and possibly provide a safe, non-addictive pain management alternative until his records can be reviewed. If Michael's pain seems legitimate and urgent, a physical examination or alternative interventions may be warranted.

In this situation, it's vital to balance the needs of the patient with the potential risks of prescribing opioids without sufficient medical history. It is also essential to watch for signs that might indicate drug-seeking behavior, which includes inconsistent details and reluctance to provide contact information for previous healthcare providers. Documentation of all interactions and judgments made will be important for legal and medical records.