Doctors are more likely to prescribe opioids later in the day — or if appointments run late

Doctors are more likely to prescribe opioids later in the day — or if appointments run late

Source: 
Stat
snippet: 

After seeing dozens of patients in a hectic and long day in the clinic, when a doctor is faced with another patient in pain, it may be easiest to prescribe opioids and move on to the next one. New research suggests that doctors who practice with this habit could be contributing to the opioid epidemic.

A study published in JAMA Network Open on Friday reveals that physicians were more likely to prescribe opioids later in the day and when appointments were running behind schedule.