This is an interesting and useful article in the May 3, 2016, NY Times Journal of Medicine.
Opioid Prescribing Gets Another Look
as F.D.A. Revisits Mandatory Doctor Training
Dr. Patrice A. Harris, who is the chairwoman of the A.M.A.’s Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse, said the organization was committed to helping doctors better use opioids. But Dr. Harris added that the A.M.A. continued to oppose mandatory opioid training for doctors because many physicians do not prescribe the drugs.
She added that the group also opposed laws that require doctors to check databases before issuing a prescription for a narcotic painkiller. Such laws, which a growing number of states have adopted, are intended to help doctors identify patients who seek prescriptions from multiple physicians and to help doctors avoid prescribing dangerous combinations of drugs. Data shows that when such programs are voluntary, many doctors do not use them.
In spite of what we read, there is still controversy about physician training.