Proven correlations exist between levels of prescription opioid analgesic (POA) prescribing and overdose deaths, POA-related misuse, and key harm outcomes such as admission to the Emergency Department or admission to the hospital for treatment.

The assumed mechanics behind the observed strong correlations between POA dispensing, and mortality and morbidity outcome levels are straightforward: The volume of POAs dispensed influences the saturation, and consequently the potential for POA diversion, misuse, and other risk exposures in the population. Therefore, when POA use levels rise, so do POA-related key harm outcomes.

Consider sharing population-level trends in your county during the introduction portion of your academic detailing visit. By associating a behavior within the clinician’s control (prescribing decisions) to local outcomes, you emphasize the clinician’s role in reducing harm outcomes related to prescription opioids.

Referencing relevant data points and trends reinforces your credibility as an Academic Detailer focused on the implementation of evidence-based practices. More generally, data fluency will build your reputation as a knowledgeable and up-to-date subject matter expert.