Making Headlines, Raising Awareness
Our work has been featured in national media, cited in books, and has reached millions of patients and healthcare providers across the country. At The Doctor Patient Forum, we don’t just raise awareness, we take action.
Whether we’re challenging government narratives, educating the public, or empowering patients to push back, our mission is clear: protect access to pain care, expose the truth, and demand accountability.
Below are just some of the ways our work is making an impact.
The Rhode Show – March 27, 2024
An in-depth conversation on the chronic pain crisis and how policy changes can better support patients who have been treated as collateral damage.
The Rhode Show – January 24, 2024
DPF’s role in addressing the opioid crisis and advocating for pain patients.
Studio 10 – January 22, 2024
Claudia Merandi shares raw and urgent insights on the daily struggles of chronic pain patients and how public policy needs to change.
DEA Rally Coverage – September 13, 2023
Brandy Novicka of DPF speaks out at the DEA rally in Michigan, calling for compassionate care and the end of medically abandoning pain patients.
Fitness Competition Speech – November 19, 2022
Claudia Merandi delivers a moving speech at a national fitness competition, raising awareness of the untreated pain crisis and the fight for patient dignity.
Articles & Press Coverage
Wired
Written in response to our NarxCare advocacy, this article discusses the impact of risk algorithms on chronic pain patients.
The Guardian
DPF’s involvement in the push to update opioid prescribing guidelines.
Truthout
An in-depth article featuring Bev Schechtman and DPF’s response to the harms caused by opioid reduction policies.
Newsweek
Board member Beth Dost shares insight into how mislabeling and healthcare bias affect families.
The Healthcare Technology Report
Highlights DPF’s advocacy in the national debate over algorithmic decision-making in pain care.
Research & Expert Contributions
Pallimed – Roger Chou’s Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest:
Bev Schechtman coauthored this article exposing Dr. Roger Chou’s undisclosed pharma ties, raising serious questions about conflict of interest in federal opioid guidelines.
Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest by Physicians Creating the CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines:
Bad Faith or Incompetence. Include the following description: Coauthored by Bev Schechtman, this Pallimed piece uncovers undisclosed industry ties of key opioid policy influencers, calling out the silence of medical journals.
Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest by Physicians Creating the CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines:
An Epilogue. Use following description: In this follow-up article coauthored by Bev Schechtman, Pallimed reveals how major medical journals continue to ignore undisclosed conflicts shaping U.S. opioid policy
CDC Guidelines Comment – DPF Formal Submission
DPF’s official comment to the CDC advocating for balanced opioid prescribing guidance.
Elsevier: Problems with ‘Problems with opioids beyond misuse’
A rebuttal article co-authored by Beverly Schechtman, correcting misinformation and COI omissions in a peer-reviewed Elsevier publication.
Voices from the Community
“You Changed My Life”
I have to let you know how much your videos and people’s comments & advice helped little ole me in a little CO town stand up for myself… — Pain Patient via TikTok
“I Got My Original Script Back”
I armed myself today with info from DPF. My doctor put me back to the original script… — Lesa, via Patreon
“You Helped Me Reclaim My Health”
DPF has played a massive part in helping me regain my health and life. — Canadian Pain Patient
“Your Advocacy Has Given Me a Voice”
Your support provides hope and a voice to those who need it most. — Diane Barletta Albano