Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: Recommended Solutions from Physicians


Submitted: 11 October 2019
Accepted: 17 April 2020
Published: 1 September 2020
Abstract Views: 2128
PDF: 677
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Authors

  • Jessica Cataldo Health Care Management Program, School of Health Sciences, United States.
  • Sandra Collins Health Care Management Program, School of Health Sciences, United States.
  • Richard C Mckinnies Radiological Sciences Program, School of Health Sciences, United States.
  • Jane Nichols Rehabilitation Counseling and Administration Program, Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, United States.
  • Thomas A Shaw Health Care Management Program, School of Health Sciences, United States.

The purpose of this study was to assess physicians’ accounts related to the current opioid epidemic and to identify solutions that they feel would be most successful in addressing opioid misuse and overuse. A survey was administered a group of physicians obtained from a nationwide database. Nearly all physicians surveyed believed there was a current opioid crisis in the United States and that physicians should take an active role in addressing opioid use in patients. Four key themes emerged regarding solutions to the opioid crisis: i) policy change, ii) improve treatment, iii) education, and iv) alternative treatment. The diversity of responses highlighted the need for a multifaceted approach to address opioid misuse and abuse.


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Cataldo, Jessica, Sandra Collins, Richard C Mckinnies, Jane Nichols, and Thomas A Shaw. 2020. “Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: Recommended Solutions from Physicians”. Qualitative Research in Medicine and Healthcare 4 (1). https://doi.org/10.4081/qrmh.2020.8619.

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