In light of the epidemic of opioid abuse in the U.S., this article looks at physicians’ difficulty treating patients whom they suspect are seeking care primarily to acquire narcotic medications. Typical practice in this situation, which often includes inaccurate patient profiling, is described, and some potential improvements, vetted by experts and the evidence, are suggested to help individual physicians who find themselves in such a situation. Systemic solutions, including controlled prescription databases, are also analyzed.
