This paper discusses a healthcare policy concern, specifically related to the opioid prescription in Georgia. Although Georgia is just one state in the United States, it is a representative of a major problem facing many states in the country. The healthcare concern policy will be discussed, the communication techniques to present the concern as well as the solution will be provided and lastly, self-evaluation of video presentation will be conducted.
Overview of the Healthcare Policy Concern and Solution
Opioid prescription and use in the United States, and particularly in Georgia, do not have proper regulations. Opioid analgesics are very popular globally because of their effectiveness in alleviating chronic pain. The popularity has somehow exacerbated the use of opioids. For instance, opioid prescription in the United States rose from 4000 cases in 1999 to 14,000 in 2006 (Paulozzi, Mack, & Hockenberry, 2014).. This rise means that physicians and healthcare providers have made opioid analgesics a standard for the alleviation of pain. It is also possible that the use of opioids will increase further if the current trend persists. Nevertheless, the popular use of opioids comes with undesirable implications. The most common ones are opioid overdose and addiction.
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Weak policies regarding the prescription and use of opioids to relieve pain are partly to blame for the addiction, deaths, and complications related to opioid use. According to Al Achkar et al. (2017) patients are given too much power to decide on how their conditions should be treated. The most prominent suggestion is that only patients know the intensity of their pain, and when they feel it. In light of this suggestion, the decision of the amount of opioid analgesics and when to take them lies on the patients. Physicians in such situations are displaced, and the only thing they can do is to yield to the demands of the patients. They can dictate the doses to take as well as the frequency. In this light, the patients are susceptible to addiction and overdose.
Solution
The best solution is to prohibit the prescription of opioid analgesics in the treatment of chronic pain and adopt other drugs such as Tylenol, creams, lotions or sprays. These medications can also be combined with therapeutic techniques such as acupuncture. The rationale for this solution is that opioid analgesics are causing high addiction rates, which in the end affect the health of patients adversely. Pain is a subjective experience; the physician may not really know the exact doses needed to alleviate pain. Patients may report inaccurately the intensity of their pain. Chronic pain, in chronic illnesses conventionally means that the patient’s illness takes a lifetime (Treede et al., 2019). That will mean that the patient continues to use opioid analgesics for such long durations. Therefore, the danger of addiction and overdose becomes too great. It is best to prohibit opioid analgesics in the management of chronic pain and instead use the medication techniques mentioned above. They are safer and not addictive.
Communication Techniques
The selected elected official is Keisha Lance Bottoms, the mayor of Atlanta. . Being the mayor of the city, Keisha is charged with the responsibility of creating and implementing policies that address some of the social problems. The aspect of health, especially in Atlanta is an important aspect in her docket. Elected leaders mostly push for reforms in different aspects, and in this case, Keisha will be seen as an important figure in pushing for reforms in opioid prescriptions. Keisha may also want to leave behind a legacy as a mayor who triggered the conversation regarding control of use and prescription of opioids. The first communication strategy to use is writing an official letter addressed to the Office of the Mayor, Atlanta. The letter will serve the purpose of seeking permission as well as presenting an overview of the policy concern. The second communication technique will involve using the telephone or email message to follow-up on the letter. Such a follow-up will be necessary to plan on the most convenient time and venue to meet with the mayor. The third technique will entail face to face communication to emphasize on the issue and use that chance to involve non-verbal cues to show the seriousness of the issue (Stephany, 2015). Consequently, a fourth technique; using posters will be used. The posters will contain visuals with statistics and a summary of the magnitude of the issue.
Self-Evaluation of Video Presentation
The video will be used to enhance the statistics and issues raised in the paper. The video will present snippets or clips of patients adversely affected with opioid use in their quest to seek management of chronic pain. Secondly, expert opinions will also be expressed in the video, especially from a physician or healthcare stakeholder. The video will utilize clear and appealing visuals to state the facts and statistics. The video will be recorded in a form that can be delivered using applications such as email, whatsapp and many other platforms. Therefore, it will be easily downloaded and played on various video player applications.
Conclusion
Opioid analgesics prescription is almost like a standard practice for management of chronic pain in Georgia. However, many of these prescriptions are causing addictions and health complications among many users. It is now necessary to prohibit their use, and instead look for the best alternatives to relieve pain in patients with chronic illnesses. The best official to approach to lobby for opioid regulation if Keisha Lance, the mayor of Atlanta. Atlanta is the largest city in Georgia and the problem is mostly prevalent in this state. As a mayor, it is a major problem affecting her city, and it is important for her to trigger reforms.
References
Al Achkar, M., Revere, D., Dennis, B., MacKie, P., Gupta, S., & Grannis, S. (2017). Exploring perceptions and experiences of patients who have chronic pain as state prescription opioid policies change: a qualitative study in Indiana. BMJ open , 7 (11), doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015083
Paulozzi, L. J., Mack, K. A., & Hockenberry, J. M. (2014). Vital signs: variation among States in prescribing of opioid pain relievers and benzodiazepines - United States, 2012. MMWR . Morbidity And Mortality Weekly Report, 63 (26), 563–568. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6326a2.htm
Stephany, K. (2015). Cultivating empathy: inspiring health professionals to communicate more effectively . Bentham Science Publishers. Doi : 10.2174/97816080598811150101
Treede, R. D., Rief, W., Barke, A., Aziz, Q., Bennett, M. I., Benoliel, R., ... & Giamberardino, M. A. (2019). Chronic pain as a symptom or a disease: the IASP Classification of Chronic Pain for the: International Classification of Diseases :(: ICD-11 :). Pain , 160 (1), 19-27. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/pain/pages/default.aspx
