Medicine Grand Rounds, Timothy Ives and Maryam Jowza, “Opioid Use and Misuse”

The US is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic. Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids have quadrupled since 1999, and so have sales of these prescription drugs. Efforts to address the opioid epidemic have focused mainly on reducing non-medical opiate use. Overprescribing of opiate agents has led to a sharp increase in the prevalence of opioid addiction, which is also associated with a rise in overdose deaths and heroin use. A multifaceted public health approach is required to effectively reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality. The scope of options to manage patients with chronic pain issues, along with strategies to mitigate the risks associated with opioid agents, will be discussed during this Medicine Grand Rounds.

Dr. Timothy Ives is the Director of Pain Management Service, Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Professor of Medicine and Professor of Pharmacy. His research interests are in the area of inflammation and chronic pain management, with neuropathic pain in particular.

Dr. Maryam Jowza is Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology. She treats a wide range of pain conditions from acute post-surgical pain to chronic musculoskeletal disorders, cancer-related pain and neuropathic conditions. She also has a special interest in treating pain in children.