Safe Opioid Prescribing and Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) (CME)

This course aims to improve knowledge, competence and performance in prescribing opioids in the treatment of chronic pain. Specifically, it will increase knowledge of the significant potential for abuse of opioid analgesics and knowledge of the emerging opioid formulations and combinations with the goal to decrease the risks of diversion and abuse. This course will focus on the assessment and recognition of psychological co-morbidities that increase the risk for opioid abuse and diversion, developing treatment plans and implementing interventions aimed at decreasing risk for unintentional misuse in addition to abuse of and addiction to opioid analgesics.

1. Introduction
2. Risk Assessment and Substance Abuse Disorders
3. Initiation, Modification, and Discontinuation of Opioid Therapy
4. Managing Therapy with Opioids
5. Course Wrap-up
6. Optional Content: Opioid Prescribing Tools
7. Resources and References
8. Help!