News Release

UPMC NORTHWEST DOCTOR AUTHORS JOURNAL ARTICLE

Jan. 25, 2005 — Most patients who seek treatment for acute or chronic pain legitimately need therapeutic intervention. But some are narcotic-addicted individuals seeking to satisfy their dependency. The challenge of pain management and the dilemma of identifying narcotic-dependent patients involved in drug seeking behavior is the subject of an article authored by UPMC Northwest’s physician director of emergency services in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

The article by Rade Vukmir, MD, JD, FCCP, FACEP, titled “Drug Seeking Behavior,” evaluates data from numerous studies about acute and chronic pain control and narcotic addiction that were done between 1990 and 2004. Drug-seeking behavior can be accurately profiled in the care setting and this can greatly assist practitioners in managing these patients and referring them for addiction therapy, Dr. Vukmir’s article concludes.

The article is the most recent of more than 30 that Dr. Vukmir has published in medical journals. He also has authored more than 20 reviews for health care publications, written multiple chapters for medical textbooks and reference books, published four books, authored more than 30 abstracts summarizing medical research studies, and given more than 300 lectures and other presentations.

He has been editor of four medical journals and newsletters, and a reviewer for eight national peer reviewed journals.