The American Academy of Family Physicians public relations team has been working with The New York Times since the beginning of the year on a story about a family physician who is trying to manage patients’ legitimate chronic pain while at the same time trying to curb or prevent opioid abuse.
Robert Wergin, MD, AAFP board chair from Milford, NE, is featured in the story that emphasizes the personal relationships that family physicians have with their patients and the frustrations and challenges that come with rather arbitrary limitations on what medication and dose they can prescribe.
The article effectively shows the tough spot in which family physicians find themselves: wanting to do what they need to do to help their patients manage chronic pain, but not fully able to because of restrictions on opioid prescribing.
The article and accompanying photo essay can be viewed on The New York Times website.