Six Things to Consider Before Prescribing an Opioid
The following is an excerpt from an article appearing in the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC)
More than 46 Americans die from prescription opioid overdoses every day, while the number of deaths from prescription opioids has more than quadrupled since 1999. Lack of expertise on how to measure and treat pain is a large factor driving the crisis. In addition, challenges in identifying those who are at risk for opioid abuse or who are already dependent on opioids adds further complexity.
Americans consume 80% of opioid painkillers produced worldwide. Yet the amount of pain reported hasn’t changed since in the past 2 decades, according to the CDC. For physicians, this points to the need to reconsider when to prescribe an opioid—if at all. Providers face intense pressures to adequately treat pain and may not know the data that supports nonopioid therapies.
Breaking the cycle of prescription opioid abuse requires new thinking around pain management and alternative options for helping patients deal with chronic pain. The following are 6 things physicians should consider before prescribing an opioid.
You can read the rest of this article in the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC)
Dr. Caroline Carney is the chief executive officer of Magellan Health, a leader in managing the fastest-growing, most complex areas of health, including special populations, and offering an insightful portfolio of broad solutions focused on population health, condition management and meeting the specific needs of our clients. She is responsible for Magellan’s strategic direction and overall growth, as well as the development and operational execution of the Company’s business strategy.
Dr. Carney joined Magellan Health as a clinical leader in 2016 and became chief medical officer of Magellan Health in 2020. She later took on the additional role of president of the behavioral health business in 2022.
In previous clinical leadership roles at Magellan Health, Dr. Carney served as the Chief Medical Officer for Magellan Rx Management where she led the development of patient-centered clinical programs, quality, and drug information. She also served as SVP Chief Medical Officer of Magellan Behavioral Health and Magellan Specialty Health. Her prior managed care experience included the role of chief medical officer for regional health plans where she gained experience in Medicaid, Medicare, Exchange, and commercial populations.
Dr. Carney, a board-certified internist and a board-certified psychiatrist, has held key clinical leadership positions serving complex populations over the span of her career. Prior to joining Magellan Health, she served as the medical director for the Indiana Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning, helping to launch the Medicaid expansion product as well as the behavioral health transformation for the state’s community mental health services. Dr. Carney is a published author and co-author for over 100 peer and non-peer reviewed publications surrounding comorbid medical and behavioral health conditions. She is a leading voice in integrated physical and behavioral health care and on the influence of screens and social media on children and adolescents.
She earned her medical degree and a master’s degree from the University of Iowa, where she also directed the Med-Psych residency program. She continues to provide clinical support to a behavioral health team at a federally qualified health center.
