Michigan State Medical Society and Opioid Crisis Tweet Chat

Earlier this year, I had the honor and privilege of joining the Board of the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS). Since that time, several of my colleagues have asked me – Why is it important, in this day and age, to be part of the medical society? The answer is simple. MSMS helps physicians support their patients through education and advocacy.

Michigan State Medical Society in action

Recently, a great example of the society’s mission in action took place on Twitter. As a result of feedback from physicians and patients, the Michigan State Medical Society hosted its first tweet chat with the hashtag #BeRxSafe. 

The purpose of the chat was to increase awareness about the ongoing health risks of narcotic addiction, specifically the opioid crisis, in Michigan. An additional aim was to share with patients and providers safe ways to store, dispose, and limit the use of, these medications.

The chat was timely as the DEA hosts an annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day every October. In addition, new bipartisan opioid legislation was just passed with sweeping majorities in the House and Senate – the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act.

Highlights from #BeRxSafe tweet chat

Welcome to the first #MSMSHealthChat discussing the #Michigan #OpioidEpidemic and #TakeBackDay. This community-wide problem deserves a community-wide discussion. Thanks to our #BeRxSafe founding partners: @BCBSM , @MIHospitalAssoc ,
@UM_IHPI , @MichiganDOs pic.twitter.com/n0ocJKyW3K

— Mich St Med Society (@MichStateMedSoc) October 24, 2018

A critical chat today and honored to be a part of the #opioid discussion – may we conquer the #OpioidCrisis with compassion, science and humanism @GoldFdtn @MichStateMedSoc @CMU_Medicine @CMU_Health #BeRxSafe https://t.co/DHbtJSQ6CI

— Juliette Perzhinsky (@JPerzsky) October 24, 2018

Overdose deaths from opioids hit a record high in Michigan in 2017, according to a report this month by @MichiganHHS.

1,941 of 2,729 overdose deaths were opioid related. This, despite significant reforms intended to curb the crisis. Why do these numbers keep rising? #BeRxSafe pic.twitter.com/G1jWojLgB7

— Mich St Med Society (@MichStateMedSoc) October 24, 2018

A2: Use non-opioid therapies for chronic pain first but when opioids are used, start with the lowest effective dosage. @CDCgov has great resources for providers & patients about the importance of discussing safer and more effective pain management. #BeRxSafe pic.twitter.com/gCICEIx5wu

— Michigan HHS Dept (@MichiganHHS) October 24, 2018

A2: One of our team’s Care Quality Initiatives, the Michigan Quality Improvement Consortium, has drafted guidelines for the proper use of opioids and treatment of pain in primary care: https://t.co/2PcB5gzOCD #BeRxSafe #DrugTakeBackDay #OpioidEpidemic #MSMSHealthChat

— BCBSM (@BCBSM) October 24, 2018

Absolutely. We will never end this epidemic unless we’re addressing the social determinants of health. #BeRxSafe

— MPCA (@michpca) October 24, 2018

As an emergency physician, taken care of multiple fentanyl overdoses resulting in death or near death. These “synthetic opioids” are VERY DANGEROUS. #BeRxSafe https://t.co/hH396NeQaP

— Steve Vance (@stevevance12) October 24, 2018

A1: Dependence on opioid prescriptions can lead to heroin addiction. Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family & friends, including from medicine cabinets #DrugTakeBackDay #BeRxSafe #MIOpioidsAwareness

— Michigan State Police (@MichStatePolice) October 24, 2018

We asked older adults about what they did with leftover pills from their last #opioid prescription, through our National Poll on Healthy Aging. Here’s what they said: https://t.co/FtSpYiv3mg #beRxsafe pic.twitter.com/NWA9b3nnmO

— U-M IHPI (@UM_IHPI) October 24, 2018

The #DEQ created a new drug take back map to help residents find collections accepting controlled substances, solid and liquid medications, and even needles. Just enter your address to find a collection. https://t.co/0ISkTP7M9Y #BeRxSafe #MiOpioidsAwareness

— Michigan DEQ (@MichiganDEQ) October 24, 2018

Medication disposal solution in my community

As a physician, one of the biggest concerns is leftover medication being left in a medicine cabinet and kids having access to it. I became involved with our local Muskegon Area Medication Disposal Program.

Having a safe way to get rid of these medications is great for the community and for our children.

Collaboration and membership benefits patients

Narcotic misuse and addiction are a huge problem for our society right now. In my experience, the only way to solve big problems is with across-the-board collaboration and buy-in. I’m proud to be part of an organization that works so hard to advocate for patients in our state.

This recent tweet chat was just one of many examples of the value of being a member of the Michigan State Medical Society and the many diverse partners it has in our state. The chat reached 252,387 accounts and had 2,228,593 impressions. If you are a physician and you are not already a member, you can learn more by checking out the MSMS website.