Diagnosing drug-seeking behaviour in an adult emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study were to determine factors used by ED doctors to diagnose drug seeking and their attitude towards management of this patient group.


METHODS
Prospective, descriptive study, of doctors working in a tertiary hospital ED. Doctors voluntarily identified patients they suspected were drug seeking and completed a written survey.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven surveys were completed for presentations involving 31 patients. A patient's specific request for narcotics, previous documented episodes of suspected drug seeking, an unwillingness to try simple analgesia and demanding or aggressive behaviour were the most frequently used factors for diagnosing drug seeking. These factors are similar to, but not the same, as the criteria in the literature. Doctors commonly found consultations involving drug seeking to be unsatisfying.


CONCLUSIONS
Factors, such as those used by doctors in the present study, should not be used as diagnostic markers. Further study is warranted in order to improve the effectiveness of consultations involving drug seeking.
McNabb
Charley
C
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. charley_mcnabb@health.qld.gov.au
Foot
Carole
C
Ting
Joseph
J
Breeze
Katina
K
Stickley
Mark
M