Opinion
Video
Navigating Opioid Terminology: Charting and Counseling Best Practices
Experts discuss the nuances of using opioid-related terminology in medical documentation and patient counseling, providing insights on avoiding stigmatizing language, fostering patient trust, and addressing the impact on adherence.
This is a video synopsis/summary of a Practice Pearls featuring Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL; Megan Mitchell, PharmD, MS; Stephanie Abel, PharmD, BCPS; and Jennifer Grate, CPhT.
Haumschild engages with Mitchell to explore the use of terminology in medical documentation and direct patient counseling regarding opioids. Mitchell emphasizes the significance of avoiding stigmatizing language, especially in the context of patients accessing their medical records electronically. The 2016 Cures Act allows real-time access to medical information, requiring careful consideration of language used in the medical record. Mitchell highlights the importance of educating patients on specific medical terms found in their charts, fostering understanding rather than stigma. She also discusses exceptions to the Cures Act, such as the preventing harm exception, emphasizing the need to protect patients' mental and emotional well-being. Mitchell underscores the responsibility of clinicians to use appropriate medical terms intentionally and addresses the potential impact on trust relationships and patient adherence. Haumschild acknowledges the crucial role pharmacists play in patient interactions, emphasizing the need for a trusting relationship to enhance patient outcomes. The discussion sheds light on the broader impact of language choices, extending beyond clinical settings to influence patients' experiences across various health care environments.
This summary was AI-generated and reviewed by Pharmacy Times® editorial staff.
