What is a primary concern when it comes to "double doctoring"?

The primary concern regarding "double doctoring" lies in the intentional abuse or diversion of controlled substances. This practice occurs when a patient seeks prescriptions for the same or similar medications from multiple healthcare providers without informing them of the other visits. This can lead to dangerous situations, such as over-prescribing, where a patient may end up with an excessive amount of medication, increasing the risk of misuse, overdose, or addiction.

Double doctoring complicates the monitoring of a patient's medication regimen, making it challenging for healthcare providers to ensure the safe and effective use of controlled substances. Providers rely on accurate, comprehensive health and prescription histories to make informed decisions about treatment. When patients fail to disclose this information, it undermines the integrity of the healthcare system and poses significant risks to the patient's health and safety.

In contrast, obtaining prescriptions from a single provider or regular check-ups with healthcare professionals typically enhance the coordination of care and medication management. Prescribing medications for chronic conditions, when appropriately managed, should also not present the same risks inherent to the practice of double doctoring.