Using urine drug testing to support healthy boundaries in clinical care

Howard A. Heit, MD, FACP, FASAM; Douglas L. Gourlay, MD, MSc, FRCPC, FASAM

doi:10.5055/jom.2015.0247

Authors

Howard A. Heit, MD, FACP, FASAM
Douglas L. Gourlay, MD, MSc, FRCPC, FASAM

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2015.0247

Keywords:

urine drug testing, risk management, patient-centered

Abstract

Risk management is first and foremost about protecting patients. This article will examine risk management in general, and urine drug testing (UDT) in particular, as core constituents in an effective, comprehensive risk management strategy. The article will explore UDT as a tool to help practitioners and patients make better choices in the clinical management of chronic pain. How one makes these difficult clinical decisions based on UDT results as well common barriers encountered in conducting patient-centered UDT will also be examined.

Author Biographies

Howard A. Heit, MD, FACP, FASAM

Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Arlington, Virginia; e-mail: howardheit@aol.com

Douglas L. Gourlay, MD, MSc, FRCPC, FASAM

University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; e-mail: dgourlay@cogeco.ca.

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