PAIN, ADDICTION, AND END-OF-LIFE CARE, 2ND EDITION

Course overview

This continuing education course focuses on the critical skills needed to deliver compassionate care to patients facing chronic pain, substance use disorders, and end-of-life challenges, emphasizing that success lies in balancing technical expertise with emotional intelligence and communication. The curriculum addresses effective pain management, stressing the need for continuous assessment, refined analgesic regimens (including appropriate opioid management), and a tailored, multi-modal approach to the patient's diverse pain experience. In addition, the course provides essential guidance on navigating the complex ethical and clinical issues surrounding the risks of addiction with controlled substances, advocating for careful monitoring and patient education. Finally, it explores the principles of end-of-life care, teaching clinicians how to shift therapeutic goals toward maximizing comfort, dignity, and peace by expertly managing distressing symptoms like dyspnea and delirium, ultimately ensuring a peaceful experience free from unrelieved suffering.