This anesthesiologist thinks so:
How do you protect yourself? An opiate contract! These things, for which there is no evidence of any effect whatsoever, are proliferating at a terrific rate (9). To sum it up: you compel the patient to sign a contract which states: Honestly, I’m not lying, I’m in pain. It’s like asking a used car salesman if he’s telling you the truth; it’s not only pointless, it’s absurd. Opiate contracts are supposed to shift the burden for patient’s malfeasance onto them. I wouldn’t count on it. The entire notion is surreal if you think about it.
