The Opioid Prescribing and Opioid Abuse Training for Healthcare Providers are designed to provide Healthcare Providers (HCP) guidelines for prescribing opioids, such as opioid risks, dosage amount, and how to prevent an overdose.
Prescribers of opioids can play a key role in stopping the opioid overdose epidemic. Prescription opioids can be used to relieve moderate to severe pain and are frequently prescribed as a result of surgery, an injury, or medical diseases including cancer. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the acceptance and use of prescription opioids for the treatment of chronic, non-cancer pain, such as back pain or osteoarthritis, despite serious risks and the lack of evidence about their long-term effectiveness.
In fact, up to 1 in 4 patients undergoing prolonged opioid therapy in a primary care setting battle opioid addiction. Once dependent, quitting might be challenging. Even when used as prescribed, the use of prescription opioids can have a number of negative effects in addition to the substantial dangers of addiction, abuse, and overdose.
When prescribing opioids for chronic pain, providers should use urine drug testing before starting opioid therapy and consider urine drug testing at least annually to assess for prescribed medications as well as other controlled prescription drugs and illicit drugs.
As a means to improve practice through recommendations, the CDC created a Guideline for Prescribing Opioids and Chronic Pain. The goal of the Guideline is to increase patient and provider understanding of the advantages and hazards of opioid therapy for chronic pain, increase the safety and efficacy of pain management, and decrease the risks of long-term opioid therapy, such as opioid use disorder and overdose.
What You’ll Learn
- Introduction to prescription opioids
- Guidelines for prescribing opioids
- how to identify risks when prescribing opioids
- Calculating dosage
- Preventing an opioid overdose
Details
Course length: 1 hour; CEU: 1.
Languages: American English
Key features: Audio narration, learning activity, and post-assessment
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ACCME Accreditation
American Medical Compliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education to physicians. Our Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is committed to enhancing the knowledge, skills, and professional performance of healthcare providers to improve patient care outcomes. Through high-quality educational activities, we aim to address the identified educational gaps and to support the continuous professional development of our medical community. American Medical Compliance designates this activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim this credit for their complete participation in this activity.
Opioid Prescribing and Opioid Abuse Training for Healthcare Providers
Opioid addiction is a significant public health challenge in the United States. Overdose deaths have been on the rise in the United States for the past few years. Addictions and deaths are both on the rise. This public health crisis will be challenging to solve. Healthcare providers are the first line of defense against the opioid crisis. Providers need to prescribe opioids responsibly and learn how to identify possible signs of addiction in patients. Learners will study how to safely prescribe opioids to reduce the risk of addiction and overdose deaths.
Introduction
While news stories frequently report the impacts of opioid abuse, little coverage is dedicated to their medical purpose. Prescription opioids treat moderate-to-severe pain. Healthcare providers prescribe opioids for a variety of reasons and health ailments. In recent years, physicians have prescribed opioids for chronic pain more frequently. However, patients taking opioid medications face serious health risks. Healthcare providers must understand these risks, as well as the potential care benefits opioids can provide when considering whether to prescribe opioids.
Statistics
The statistics about opioid misuse are acutely distressing. Currently, synthetic opioids are the main cause of drug overdose deaths. Additionally, opioids caused the majority of drug overdose deaths in 2019. Deaths have been increasing each year.
These numbers underscore the importance of proper physician training regarding prescribing opioids. Healthcare providers have an obligation to prescribe opioids in a responsible and accountable manner that protects the health of patients. Learners study strategies to responsibly prescribe opioids to patients.
Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids
The CDC publishes guidelines to aid both patients and providers in understanding guidelines for the opioid prescribing process. Guidelines educate both parties on the risks and benefits of opioid therapies.
Different ailments require different types of opioids. Healthcare providers must understand which types of opioids should be prescribed for different patients. The first step providers should take before prescribing opioids is collaborating with patients to create treatment goals. This provides patients with a clear understanding of what they are seeking to gain from opioid therapy, and it allows them to weigh the risks and benefits more accurately. The plan helps patients decide if they should discontinue opioid therapy. This is important because a plan provides a safeguard against potential addiction or drug dependence for many patients. Learners will study other guidelines and strategies for prescribing opioids responsibly.
Identifying Risks when Prescribing Opioids
Physicians must work with patients to help them weigh the risks and rewards of opioid therapy. Risk factors include but are not limited to sleep apnea, pregnancy, and many more. Physicians should communicate with patients about risk factors regarding opioid therapy to help them make informed decisions. Learners will study different risk factors, potential dangers of opioid use, and how to make informed decisions about prescriptions.
Calculating Dosage
Healthcare providers need to understand that higher dosages of opioids are associated with an increased risk of overdose and death. While many think that higher dosages of opioids lead to reduced levels of pain, this is not true in the long term. Additionally, different quantities of different types of opioids all carry different potencies. For example, 50 mg of hydrocodone has a different potency than 50 mg of oxycodone. Learners will study how to find accurate potencies of different types of opioids to make informed decisions when prescribing them.
Benefits of an Online Course
There are many advantages to taking an online course. Online courses are flexible and convenient. You can work them around your busy schedule. You’re allowed to take this course on your own time and in the environment of your choice. It can improve skills of self-management and self-discipline. This course can be easily taken and easily administered.
