全球智库信息集成服务系统

More Information Is Needed to Make the Best Decisions Moving Forward

• Few available evidence-based solutions focus specifically on the prevention or treatment of prescription drug misuse (PDM) in the military or civilian practice. Those guidelines that do exist largely focus on assessing risk, but generally within context of broader substance use.
• Many health providers lack general knowledge or training on how to deal with complex patient cases suffering from acute or chronic pain and PDM.
• U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) regulations are complex, emphasizing a general zero tolerance approach to drugs with little mention of addressing prescription drug use and misuse.
• Providers reported greater collaboration between providers since the institution of patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) through the use of embedded case managers and behavioral health therapists to facilitate chart reviews and communication about and management of active-duty service members (ADSMs) with PDM and at risk for PDM.
• Pain management and patient-centered, complementary services are not readily available or accessible to those suffering from chronic pain, which leads many to rely on prescription pain medications. Few within the Military Health System (MHS) provide these services; where they are available, waiting lists can be long.
• There is a need for more consistent guidelines for PDM patients and adherence to those guidelines in both the military and civilian practice.