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Saturday, 16 November 2013
Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to describe the meaning of the lived experience of women who engage in doctor shopping.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to identify four themes related to the meaning of doctor shopping in women.
Prescription drug abuse is a significant problem in the United States with huge societal and financial cost. Doctor shopping is a form of prescription drug diversion and occurs when patients visit numerous prescribers and pharmacies to obtain prescriptions for controlled drugs for illicit use. Little research has been done on the phenomenon of doctor shopping. The purpose of this study was to examine the meaning of the experiences of female doctor shoppers through a phenomenological study guided by the existential philosophy of Merleau-Ponty. The sample included 14 women ranging in age from 27 to 51. Participants were asked to share their information about their experience doctor shopping. Data from the interviews was coded and thematically analyzed. A thematic structure of the meaning of doctor shopping was developed which encompassed four themes: (1) “feeding the addiction”(2) “networking with addicts” (3) “playing the system” and (4) ”baiting the doctors.” The paricipants in this study experienced their world as being retricted and limited to activities related to doctor shopping. They had little time for anything or anyone else in their lives. Their experience of their bodies was that they were empty shells that needed to be filled with drugs. Addiction drove them to doctor shop when they experienced cravings or withdrawal symptoms. They worked with other addicts to gain information and to doctor shop together. They used many complicated methods to play the system which was hard work and caused them to be afraid. They played the prescribers by conning and manipulation which was easy and often thrilling.