The purpose of this course is to provide clinicians who prescribe or distribute opioids with an appreciation for the complexities of opioid prescribing and the dual risks of litigation due to inadequate pain control and drug diversion or misuse in order to provide the best possible patient care and to prevent a growing social problem. In addition, members of the public may use this course to enhance their personal knowledge of the subject matter presented.
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Outline the types of pain and effective approaches to managing different pain types.
2. Describe the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent guidelines for prescribing opioids.
3. Identify behaviors that are indicative of opioid seeking, diversion, addiction, and/or misuse.
4. Discuss federal and state laws pertaining to the prescription of controlled substances.
5. Create a plan to properly educate patients and families regarding safe opioid use.
6. Describe effects of, potential causes of, and approaches to minimize disparities in pain management.
This 5-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.
