The effects on patient retention after opioid weaning in an internal medicine residency clinic

Charles P. Opperman, MD; Melissa M. Butler, MD; Andrew K. Stroud, MD; Michael R. Sun, MD

doi:10.5055/jom.2018.0438

Authors

Charles P. Opperman, MD
Melissa M. Butler, MD
Andrew K. Stroud, MD
Michael R. Sun, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2018.0438

Keywords:

opioid, residency, internal medicine, outpatient, weaning, retention

Abstract

A retrospective, cross-sectional study was completed on 220 patients to determine the effects of implementation of an aggressive policy to curb opioid misuse/abuse in an internal medicine residency clinic. Our findings suggest that the development of a clear and consistent protocol for approaching patients on chronic controlled substances, as well as the initiation of regular didactic sessions addressing chronic pain and pain management, led to a dramatic reduction in the number or opioid prescriptions written by our resident providers without much reduction in patient volume.

Author Biographies

Charles P. Opperman, MD

Faculty, Kettering Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency, Miamisburg, Ohio

Melissa M. Butler, MD

Faculty, Kettering Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency, Miamisburg, Ohio

Andrew K. Stroud, MD

Resident, Kettering Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency (now affiliated with TriHealth), Miamisburg, Ohio

Michael R. Sun, MD

Chief Resident, Kettering Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency, Miamisburg, Ohio

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