Problem: 1. Does someone other than the provider obtain some of the information? My previous preceptor in a PM&R clinic confirmed medical assistants are mainly responsible for this preliminary information collection in the clinic so that the provider can focus on good clinical decisions during patient encounters. It also helps in speeding the process of medication reconciliation and history taking. Oftentimes, providers have to verify the details of some information, particularly that of an elaborate medical history or medication list. 2. Do the providers routinely check the state Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to assure the patients are not receiving controlled substances from other providers? The state's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is one useful tool that allows prescribers to do their work in the most safe and profound manner: the prescriptions of controlled substances. To be sure, my current preceptor never prescribes opioids, primarily because managing chronic pain is not the primary focus of the clinic. Yet, when the rare instance occurs whereby opioids are prescribed, the prescriber personally checks in on the PDMP to ascertain that a patient is not receiving controlled substances from other prescribers. By far different, at my previous clinical site, the pain management clinic, checking PDMP was a regular part of routine workflow. Both physicians and medical assistants (MAs) checked the PDMP to monitor patients for any histories of prescribing. Need Assignment Help?