‘Minimalistic’ opioid discharge summaries blindsiding GPs

GPs are having to manage patients with unrealistic expectations for how long they can stay on the drugs
Discharge summaries for patients on opioids ‘minimalistic’

GPs are being blindsided by patients on the road to opioid dependence following hospital discharge, with few receiving management plans or accurate information, a new study suggests.

Despite the focus on minimising opioid supply to surgical patients, many are still being discharged with opioids but with little or no information on how long they should expect to stay on the drug.