Is Surgeon General's Approach to Fighting the Opioid Epidemic Correct?

CHICAGO, Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the Surgeon General issued a letter to physicians urging them to take a part in combating the opioid epidemic. On the Surgeon General website, healthcare providers are encouraged to help solve the opioid epidemic - "Our nation faces an opioid crisis. Health care providers are uniquely positioned to help communities and their patients #TurnTheTide on the opioid epidemic. Providers can be the solution. Join the movement. Sign the pledge."

To understand reactions to the Surgeon General's letter, the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS) asks for the public and clinicians to complete this brief (two minute – five question) online survey to understand reactions to the Surgeon General's letter by clicking here.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/opioidepidemic

The Surgeon General cites resources from the CDC that primarily consist of three parts, explained Michael Wong, JD (Executive Director, PPAHS):

• More education about how to treat pain safely and effectively.
• Better screening of patients for opioid use disorder and provide or connect them with evidence-based treatment.
• Talking about opioid addiction as a chronic illness, not a moral failing.

For more on these and other resources available to fight the opioid epidemic, Mr. Wong cited this article, "Prince and the Opioid Epidemic: 5 Ways for Addressing this National Crisis."

To take the survey on the Surgeon General letter, please to go https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/opioidepidemic.

About Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety

Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to promote safer clinical practices and standards for patients through collaboration among healthcare experts, professionals, scientific researchers, and others, in order to improve healthcare delivery. For more information, please go to www.ppahs.org.

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SOURCE Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS)

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http://www.ppahs.org