Researchers surveyed 505 U.S. primary care physicians in August 2021 and used insights from nearly 5 million de-identified laboratory tests performed by Quest Diagnostics between 2011 and 2020 for patients throughout all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Key findings:
- Ninety-four percent of primary care physicians reported seeing more patients experiencing stress, anxiety or other mental health issues because of the pandemic and fear a correlation between rising mental health issues and prescription drug misuse.
- Ninety-eight percent of physicians reported concerns about misuse of controlled substances in general compared to 75 percent reporting concern of opioid misuse.
- Seventy-five percent of physicians believe telehealth visits limit the ability to determine if patients are at risk for or are already misusing prescription drugs.
- Eighty-seven percent of physicians said they prescribed gabapentin for chronic pain in the past 6 months with 78 percent fearing patients will turn to illicit fentanyl.
- Nearly 9 in 10 physicians reported better guidelines would help ensure that clinical drug testing is used equitably with 69 percent reporting needing more tools to be able to address racial/ethnic health disparities in prescription drug addiction management.
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
