Core Program: Minimizing the Risk of Prescription Opioid Misuse

Build Core Skills to Minimize the Risk of Prescription Opioid Misuse (Case-Illustrated)  Start Core Program Now (Cost: $50)

Module: Chronic Pain and Opioids: What's the Plan?
Provides an overview of reducing the risk in use of opioids for non-terminal chronic pain. The focus is on using opioids when indicated and only when indicated with precautions intended to decrease risk of co-morbid addiction and non-medical use of opioids. Current guidelines for chronic opioid therapy are presented: Assessing level of pain, determining if opioid therapy is the proper treatment, and, if so, choosing the right opioid therapy.

• Skills learned are applied with Barbara who has to postpone recommended knee surgery for a while.

Module: Communicating about Opioids: Assessing Risk and Creating a Shared Approach (Case-Illustrated)
Trains primary care providers in the effective assessment of chronic pain patients for risk of substance abuse and in how to reduce risk via communication, which can be enhanced through treatment agreements.

• Skills learned are applied with Paula, who requests additional medication to treat hip bursitis

Module: Clinical Case with Common Pain Conditions (Interactive Case-Based Learning)
An interactive case vignette! Assesses skills learned in the first part of the program and applies them to a common pain condition. Reviews assessment, baseline urine drug testing, and how to stratify risk for a patient according to screening and assessment results.

• Apply skills learned in the first two modules with Olivia, who suffers from osteoarthritis that has not responded to first-line therapies.

Free Module: Start Free Module Now →

Minimizing Diversion and Overdose Risk: Unique Challenges of Opioids (Case-Illustrated)

If you didn't already take this free module before taking the Core program, be sure to check it out. It addresses the increasing problem of diversion of prescription opioids and overdose by educating physicians about the steps they should take to minimize risk of these problems.

• Skills learned are applied with Sam, who complains of severe phantom limb pain and claims the only thing that helps is a high dose of hydrocodone.

References
1 - http://www.prescription-drug-abuse.org/
2 - Office of National Drug Control Policy
3 - Time Heartland, By MAIA SZALAVITZ Monday, September 19, 2011

CORE Program Trains Clinicians to:

• Initiate pain treatment including appropriate use of first line therapies; using opioids only as needed, while simultaneously avoiding addiction complications for the patient.
• Triage patients requiring chronic opioid therapy to the appropriate level of care to stratify risk.
• Screen carefully and thoroughly for risks of addiction/abuse before prescribing chronic opioid therapy.
• Communicate effectively with patients regarding how to avoid risks of opioids.
• Practice sound clinical/office protocols to avoid diversion and overdose.

What is Offered in the Core Program

• Provides up to 3 hours of instruction on clinical skills training using examples from pain & addiction patients.
• Clinical Tools, Inc. designates this enduring material for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 3 hour(s) of DCBN credit.
• Created for health professionals
• Trains in core interpersonal and professional competencies
• Expert reviewed