Pain Management in the Era of Epidemic Drug Abuse

Course overview

As research sheds light on pain management issues and treatment methods, healthcare professionals are expected to maintain competency in assessing and treating their patient's pain, as well as managing the side effects of those pain control interventions. The national opioid abuse epidemic has changed the manner in which pain management education is conducted. Increasingly, state Boards of Nursing are requiring continuing education on the subject of pain management and/or substance abuse as a prerequisite for licensure and/or re-licensure as part of a concerted effort to stem the tide of the national opioid abuse epidemic. Each state defines the parameters of this continuing education for those practicing within its borders.