Colin Guy, Staff writer for Mywesttexas.com writes that... "A study recently completed by Midland-based Ameritox found that out of 240,000 long-term chronic pain patients, 77 percent were not in strict compliance with their physician's instructions.
The study also found 13 percent of the urine samples contained a dosage of medication below the expected range and 30 percent did not contain any of the prescribed medication.
A press release issued by Ameritox, a Cornell University study found that doctors were unable to detect a patient misusing medications as much as 90 percent of the time and were also likely to mistakenly identify patients who are in compliance as medication abusers. Ameritox's RxGuardian program, which provides feedback to doctors on what their patients are taking, is intended to help address this problem, Lopes said.
"Even within our own data these are pretty startling numbers," he said. "What Ameritox is trying to do is help physicians monitor their patients who have chronic pain. If they are not taking the medications appropriately doctors can try to get them back to their prescribed regimen."
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So, do you follow the doctor's orders? The truth is that sometimes life gets in the way, even when we have the best of intentions. We forget to order refills in time, or we order them and they are (incorrectly) denied by the doctor, the receptionist, or even the insurance company.
I took a typical lab test last week due to the medications that I am on. The results are now being sent to both the rheumatologist (who orders the lab) and my general practitioner. My GP called today and based on the lab tests wants me to go have a kidney ultrasound. That sounded odd.
The nurse said, "She just likes to take all precautions."
Though I appreciate a doctor who is on top of things, my rheumatologist has yet to call and report anything different than usual from the labs. So I faxed her to see what she thought. Now I will likely be seen as a patient who is being difficult and going "over the GP's head."
But (1) an ultrasound isn't cheap, especially when ordered by a doctor who is not on my insurance; (2) I simply have better things to do if it's not really necessary.
And yet... sometimes you just have to go along with these odd requests by your doctor so you are seen as cooperative. That way, when you really want a test for something, they are more likely to give it to you. As with any relationship, it's full of give and take.
Just my thoughts.. feel free to comment and share yours too!
Have you purposely NOT followed doctors orders and still had a good relationship with your doctor?
The study also found 13 percent of the urine samples contained a dosage of medication below the expected range and 30 percent did not contain any of the prescribed medication.
A press release issued by Ameritox, a Cornell University study found that doctors were unable to detect a patient misusing medications as much as 90 percent of the time and were also likely to mistakenly identify patients who are in compliance as medication abusers. Ameritox's RxGuardian program, which provides feedback to doctors on what their patients are taking, is intended to help address this problem, Lopes said.
"Even within our own data these are pretty startling numbers," he said. "What Ameritox is trying to do is help physicians monitor their patients who have chronic pain. If they are not taking the medications appropriately doctors can try to get them back to their prescribed regimen."
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