Developing a Safe Opioid Treatment Plan for Managing Chronic Pain

The purpose of this course is to provide the information necessary for clinicians to formulate a opioid treatment plan for chronic pain that takes into consideration the risks and benefits of these agents and minimizes the potential for abuse. 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. Discuss characteristics of appropriate and inappropriate opioid prescribing and contributory factors to both.

2. Compare opioid abuse risk assessment tools and the utility of risk stratification.

3. Outline the appropriate periodic review and monitoring of patients prescribed opioid analgesics, including the role of urine drug testing.

4. Describe necessary components of patient/caregiver education for prescribed opioid analgesics, including guidance on the safe use and disposal of medications.


This 1-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.