Table 1.

Summary of key findings

Finding	Key points
Accessing the PDMP is influenced by specialty type.	Short-term prescribers (emergency clinicians, dentists, surgeons) reported inconsistent use of the PDMP, often relying on red flags to trigger checking. Long-term prescribers (primary care clinicians; pain, addiction, psychiatry specialists) reported routine use of the PDMP. Primary care clinicians reported less routine use in monitoring existing pain patients than new patients.
Prescribing decisions after a worrisome PDMP profile are influenced by continuity relationship.	With new patients, clinicians reported declining to prescribe in the face of a worrisome profile, except in the case of acute, verifiable conditions. With existing patients, long-term prescribers reported sometimes continuing prescriptions, depending on the circumstances. Influential factors included perceived patient intent or honesty, or patient risk level on an opioid screener.
Among long-term prescribers, discharge decisions varied.	Some long-term prescribers reported at times discharging patients from their practices due to worrisome PDMP profiles; others discontinued opioids but were retained in care.