This post may raise some eyebrows, but I was considering the opioid patients that I have inherited (mostly abandoned by PCP or moved from out of state), and how much I would rather not be prescribing opioids...have any of you have considered, or perhaps know of a colleague, who has renewed a DEA license, without requesting privileges to prescribed schedule II drugs? That is, to voluntarily relinquish privileges to prescribe schedule II drugs?
My thinking is, when patients ask for opioids, I cannot say technically that I "cannot" prescribe opioids, as I can legally do so, it is just that I do not want to or do not recommend it. But, if I do not have DEA prescribing privileges for schedule II drugs, then I can truly say that I cannot, and then it is not even a matter up for debate.
I would have some concerns/guilt about the few patients I have that I think are actually very responsible with their meds and actually seem to benefit... Anyway, not saying I would actually consider this, but it is a thought that comes to mind from time to time.
My thinking is, when patients ask for opioids, I cannot say technically that I "cannot" prescribe opioids, as I can legally do so, it is just that I do not want to or do not recommend it. But, if I do not have DEA prescribing privileges for schedule II drugs, then I can truly say that I cannot, and then it is not even a matter up for debate.
I would have some concerns/guilt about the few patients I have that I think are actually very responsible with their meds and actually seem to benefit... Anyway, not saying I would actually consider this, but it is a thought that comes to mind from time to time.