An Online Training Series for Healthcare Providers
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recently launched an online training course focused on opioid prescription practices. The series features eight modules, of which one has been released thus far. The training program offers recommendations for prescribing opioids more safely and effectively.
This first module, now available, presents an overview of the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. The module explains the rationale for the Guideline’s creation, highlights key recommendations and describes the benefits of implementing the Guideline.
The other 7 modules include:
- Communicating With Patients
Providers will learn communication strategies they can use when treating chronic pain, including motivational interviewing. - Treating Chronic Pain Without Opioids
This module presents providers with an alternate vision for chronic pain treatment, giving them the tools they need to use non-opioid options. - Deciding Whether to Prescribe
In this section of the training, providers learn mechanisms for deciding whether or not to prescribe opioids and next steps or alternate treatments for both courses of action. - Dosing and Titration of Opioids: How Much, How Long, and How and When to Stop?
When providers choose to prescribe opioids, they need to know how to properly dose and titrate opioids to reduce risk of opioid abuse. This module explains methods of dosing and titration. - Reducing the Risks of Opioids
Providers will learn best risk mitigation strategies and when to employ them after prescribing an opioid. - Assessing and Addressing Opioid Use Disorder
This module describes methods available for assessing and addressing an opioid use disorder when it is suspected. - Implementing the CDC Guideline
This module provides strategies and tools for implementing the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain in a provider’s own practice, while outlining steps to overcome common barriers to implementation.
Access the training modules and additional details.
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