title: Diagnosing drug-seeking behaviour in an adult emergency department.
abstract: 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.
authors: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. charley_mcnabb@health.qld.gov.au
authors: Charley
authors: C
authors: McNabb
authors: Carole
authors: C
authors: Foot
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Ting
authors: Katina
authors: K
authors: Breeze
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Stickley