Pain and Addiction Blog

Development is complete on the comprehensive website, OpioidRisk.com, on the interface of pain and addiction for health care providers who prescribe opioids. The curriculum plan was based on a needs analysis of the practice gaps found in the literature, a needs analysis with target audience members, and input from experts in the field. The final content for each course was reviewed by expert consultants. The website has been extensively tested in usability testing and is fully functional. It consists of two training programs: a core program, which is activated, and an advanced program which will be activated by mid-April, 2011.

We are recruiting physicians and other prescribing clinicians to help us evaluate our core program. The evaluation will involve taking three core courses regarding basic skills of safe opioid prescribing. Clinicians who are licensed to prescribe opioids for chronic pain and are not specialists in both pain and addiction are eligible to participate. Study is active through March 31, 2011. To start training, click on the Core Program link on the homepage!

With support from NIDA, we are developing an educational program on the interface of pain
and addiction consisting of: 1) Internet based courses to provide education and skills training, 2) a resource center, and 3) a communications (web 2.0) module. Each course will utilize an interactive, case-based learning approach as well as novel use of live virtual remote standardized patients to mirror the challenges and variability of live patients. Our goal is a convenient, engaging, documented experience for the learner.

Future evaluative work will assess clinical skill competency with the standardized patient, user satisfaction and effect on
attitude, perceived self-efficacy, and knowledge.

Physicians are being recruited to help with usability studies of this website during Fall 2009. Studies conducted by phone. Must be a U.S. resident and not a specialist in pain or addiction. Inquire here!