Opioids and Alternatives- Strategies to Optimize Success

Course overview

At the conclusion of this program, the participant will be able to 1. Describe how the role for the use of opioids in acute, chronic, cancer/palliative care and end-of-life pain has changed in the past decade. 2. Describe the key features of the 2022 Proposed CMS Recommendations/Guidelines for prescribing opioids for outpatients. 3. Differentiate addiction, physical dependency, and tolerance. 4. State key principles managing patients with ongoing therapy that includes opioid analgesics, including stating red flags for opioid misuse, abuse and diversion, and how to anticipate and manage adverse drug events. 5. Identify the main characteristics of patients who would be identified as "high risk", "moderate risk" and "low risk" for chronic opioid use. 6. State the definition of "hyperalgesia" and how to prevent/minimize this from negatively influencing the care of patients who are receiving opioids. 7. State three reasons why opioids may not be effective for some patients with chronic pain. 8. State key educational principles that should be applied to all patients and caregivers regarding the safe use, proper storage and disposal of opioids. 9.Compare and contrast the pharmacological benefits and risks of the following non-opioid pharmacological options for managing pain: a cannabinoids b NSAIDS c anticonvulsants and, d anti-depressants.