Dr. Sue Sgambati, COPIC’s medical director and a colorectal surgeon, joins Dr. Zacharias to talk about her personal experience in balancing the professional responsibility to treat pain with concerns over opioid addiction. Dr. Sgambati reviews the historical background of key factors that contributed to the overprescribing of opioids and what she saw and learned in her own practice. She then talks about the value of using tools such as a state’s prescription drug monitoring program, opioid risk assessment tools, and guidelines published by organizations such as the CDC. Dr. Sgambati also addresses alternatives to opioids that are being used, the challenges of having conversations with patients about opioids and how to document these, and the availability of naloxone to counter overdoses. Email: wnlpodcast@copic.com

With Power Comes Responsibility—Ethical and Legal Issues That Physicians Face

Within Normal Limits provides physicians and medical professionals with unfiltered insights that focus on pitfalls to avoid in medicine and best practices to improve patient care. Hosted by Eric Zacharias, MD, an internal medicine doctor and physician risk manager with COPIC, a leading medical liability insurance company, this podcast centers around open conversations between physicians and medical experts. Each episode dives into topics including practical guidance, detailed analysis, current issues, and case study reviews. Within Normal Limits is an opportunity to learn from others’ experience and gain knowledge that may help you be a better medical provider and deliver the best patient care possible.