ABSTRACT
Malingering, a nonmedical condition, is defined as the intentional feigning or exaggeration of symptoms for secondary gain. While usually for financial reward, it also may be seen in the acquisition of narcotics. Although malingering is a more common occurrence in the military, prisons, and criminal prosecutions, the incidence of malingering in the emergency department is as high as 13% of all visits, of which the majority involves the acquisition of narcotics. Between 2004 to 2009, visits to the emergency department, with the intention of seeking narcotics, doubled in patients who were 12 years or older. The nonmedicinal use of narcotics prescribed by physicians 2010 was observed in approximately two million adults age 50 and older. The evaluation of the malingering patient requires careful review of past medical records and assessment for inconsistencies between the records and the current claims. The last step in detecting malingering is checking for treatment response discrepancies and compliance with the prescribed treatment regimen.
