Pathways to Safer Opioid Use

Pathways to Safer Opioid Use

            Prescription opioids given to patients for pain relief can be effective when taken for a short period, and when prescribed by healthcare providers. Most people who take opioids, however, are often at risk of getting addicted and depend, which may result in an overdose. Adequate patient education is needed to create awareness on the proper use of opioids since cases of overdose have been rampant. Patients receiving the drug are required to practice caution since opioid overdose may result in the death of the patient. This essay will use the simulation of James Parker and his opioid use, which resulted in overdose due to avoidable factors and make better decisions as a patient.

Through this week’s simulations, I managed to make better decisions as James, especially concerning medication use. After hurting my eye, I decided to visit the hospital and consult the doctor about the proper pain medication to use as well rather than directly going to the chemist and buying a painkiller. Patient education is vital in the patient’s treatment plan since they get educated on the proper medication to use as well the possible side effects of each drug (Brady, McCauley & Back, 2016). I also decided to engage my wife in my medication plan, and this turned out to be useful. While talking to the nurse practitioner, my wife actively took part in providing more information about my pain and this was beneficial since it enabled the physician to suggest better approaches to manage my pain. The session with the doctor alongside my wife was successful, thanks to the active listening and communication applied. I actively engaged in my treatment plan by stating my long-term and short-term goals and heeded to advise from the doctor, thanks to the shared decision-making approach used by the doctor..

After the session, I also took the initiative to put the suggestions into practice, especially on the limitation of pills intake. I opted for yoga as a better solution to reduce depression. The doctor session concerning pain medication was also successful, and I was educated about the possible drugs that can be used as well as the potential side effects of each drug. The session concerning the “Brown Bag Medication Review” was also successful, and I decided to ask the doctor about how to remember best each instruction, including how to read the medications before taking them correctly. This question was useful since making the wrong medicine may also have adverse effects on my health. The doctor then gave me an updated and easy to use medication list with instructions, thus helping me refer to it in case I needed confirmation. I continued to heed to the doctor’s advice by joining a yoga class and being open to others to reduce depression as a result of isolation. I gradually made progress in my treatment and involved my wife in my medication when I needed her the most.

Making the correct decisions and taking control of one’s treatment plan is the patient’s obligation, and it should be supported by the doctor and available caregivers. Lack of effective communication and collaboration between the patient and the doctor may result in inadequate patient education, and this may lead to addiction, dependence, and overdose of opioid drugs (Manchikanti, Kaye & Kaye, 2016). After James hurting his eye, he visited the hospital but did not actively take part in the education concerning his medication and drug use. James ignored the essential aspects of the sessions he had with the doctors and ended up receiving less information about his condition and treatment plan. James had several questions concerning the medications prescribed but decided to stay quiet rather than speaking up by asking questions. For instance, the session with the doctor was also futile since James had issues with drug use but did not seek other treatment options from the doctor. James also failed to ask the appropriate questions concerning the “Brown Bag Medication Review”. James became addicted due to prolonged use of opioid drugs since he did not opt for alternative medications that can reduce dependence on drugs. Since John did not seek advice concerning the implementation of his treatment plan, he often engages in wrong medication use and ignored the possible side effects. For instance, James decided to take more pills whenever he felt more pain, depressed, or exhausted and sometimes did not take the right medication due to ignorance. James also failed to involve his wife or family member in his treatment plan hence making him more prone to wrong decision making. The decisions made by James by failing to actively engage in his treatment plan as well as failing to involve his caregiver resulted in addiction and eventually an overdose.

Both patients and caregivers are required to engage in the suggested treatment plan since it can help remind them about correct medication use as well as provide moral support concerning the treatment plan. Involving caregivers in the treatment plan can be effective in reducing depression since they can give company to patients and offer a leaning shoulder in periods of depression hence preventing drug overuse. Involving caregivers in the treatment plan can also be essential since they can act as whistleblowers to the doctors concerning the progress of the treatment plan being, thus enabling the patient to be the right track to recovery.

In conclusion, patients are required to make correct decisions and engage in best practices to improve their outcomes and speed up the recovery process. Patients can make proper choices by involving their caregivers in their treatment plan as well as taking charge of their treatment by asking necessary questions concerning drug use and alternative treatment plans. Healthcare providers, on the other hand, also need to educate patients on the proper use of medicine, especially opioids, which are more addictive and have higher chances of overdose.

References

Brady, K. T., McCauley, J. L., & Back, S. E. (2016). Prescription opioid misuse, abuse, and treatment in the United States: an update. American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(1), 18-26.

Manchikanti, L., Kaye, A. M., & Kaye, A. D. (2016). Current state of opioid therapy and abuse. Current pain and headache reports, 20(5), 34.