Outcomes that have been developed and utilized to measure progress on the issue
The first step that has been taken to address the issue is the change of perception towards opioids and pain management. According to Swan & Hamilton (2016), currently, pain cannot be perceived as a form of symptom but it has to be viewed as an illness. In this regard, the stakeholders in the health sector have acknowledged the misuse of opioid in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal disease disorders such as fibromyalgia. In addition, there is an immense concern on the abuse of opioids such as heroin and other prescription pain medication by the public. This has forced state agency such as The National Institute on Drug Abuse to publish articles on their website to educate the public on the danger of using opioids such as heroin which have not been prescribed by a qualified physician (The National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014). In ensuring there is proper usage and the opioids manufactured are safe for human consumptions, the US Food and Drug Administration has taken a keen interest in the production of opioids which are used for the treatment of fibromyalgia (Painter, Crofford & Talbert, 2013).
Documentation of geographical variation on the usage and prescription of the opioid helps to track utilization and understanding the prescription patterns across all states. As such, this documentation has been helpful in providing evidence on how opioids are used across the country (Painter, Crofford & Talbert, 2013). Additionally, states governments have instituted prescription monitoring programs (PMP) to check utilization and prescription patterns of opioids (Painter, Crofford & Talbert, 2013). Drug Enforcement Agency and drug manufacturers have also taken the initiative to work with the local and federal government to put in place policies that address the use of opioids from state and to national level.
The alternative 2011 fibromyalgia survey criteria, helps patients to take a survey of their well-being to measure if they are suffering from fibromyalgia and visit a local hospital for treatment (Clauw, 2014). This ensures patients do not use over-the-counter drugs or medications which have been suggested by friends. Interventions such as physical exercise, adequate sleep, and stress reductions activities yoga, have played a significant role in addressing musculoskeletal disease disorders including fibromyalgia (Clauw, 2014).
The current status of the health issue based on measured outcomes
Painter, Crofford & Talbert (2013), observe that the utilization of opioids for the clinical intervention for chronic nonmalignant condition and pain has been increasing in the last decade. However, there is the lack of adequate support evidence on the use of opioids to manage and treat chronic illnesses such as Fibromyalgia (FM). In this case, there is the recommendation for more research to be done in this area.
Every State in the United States has put in place laws that govern the use of Schedule II medications. These laws ensure there is no misuse of opioids by the public. Moreover, CDC has taken the initiative to publish warning statements on the risk of opioid overdose. This is to ensure Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicare health programs beneficiaries who have access to treatment including prescription to opioids do not misuse the drug (Morden et al., 2014). Healthcare facilities have started using complementary and alternative therapies such as yoga, aerobics, massage, and tai chi and physical exercise to address this issue. Moreover, hospitals have put in place interdisciplinary teams to provide holistic care to patients with the musculoskeletal diseases to avoid overuse of opioids in address pain management.
Reference
Clauw, D. J. (2014). Fibromyalgia: a clinical review. Jama, 311(15), 1547-1555.
Morden, N. E., Munson, J. C., Colla, C. H., Skinner, J. S., Bynum, J. P., Zhou, W., & Meara, E. R. (2014). Prescription Opioid Use among Disabled Medicare Beneficiaries: Intensity, Trends and Regional Variation. Medical care, 52(9), 852.
Painter, J. T., Crofford, L. J., & Talbert, J. (2013). Geographic variation of chronic opioid use in fibromyalgia. Clinical therapeutics, 35(3), 303-311.
Swan, J., & Hamilton, P. M. (2016). Pain Management for Oregon Healthcare Professionals.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). Drug facts heroin. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroin
