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. Define opioid prescribing and opioid misuse.
2. Apply epidemiologic trends in opioid use and misuse to current practice so at-risk patient populations can be more easily identified, assessed, and treated.
3. Create comprehensive treatment plans for patients with chronic pain that address patient needs as well as drug diversion prevention.
4. Identify state and federal laws governing the proper prescription and monitoring of controlled substances.
5. Evaluate behaviors that may indicate drug seeking or diverting as well as approaches for patients suspected of misusing opioids.
This 3-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.
