Opioids

* Course is being updated to reflect the 2022 update to the CDC Prescribing Guidelines. Updated link will be available mid-September.

Click to begin online training modules.

Learning Objectives:

1. Determine when initiation or continuation of opioids is indicated in the treatment of chronic pain.
2. Evaluate and mitigate risk related to opioid use through dose limitations, clinical reassessment, and monitoring tools like the prescription drug monitoring program and urine drug testing.
3. Identify quality measures applicable to their clinical practices to assess implementation of the CDC guidelines.

CME Accreditation:

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and the Iowa Department of Public Health. The Carver College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

There is no charge for the course, but registration is required.

This educational program and associated CME credits are provided at no charge courtesy of the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Opioid Response Network funded by SAMHSA.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 6H79TI080816 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Disclosure Policy
Everyone in a position to control the content of this educational activity will disclose to the CME provider and to attendees all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest.

Financial Disclosures
Planners and faculty of this activity disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Anthony Miller
Deborah Richardson
Anureet Walia
Monica Wilke-Brown

References:  References CDC Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing Course.pdf

IDPH Opioid Overdose Recognition & Response Brochure
This IDPH brochure contains information recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and responding appropriately, including how to properly administer naloxone.

Talk, Lock, and Connect
The Talk, Lock, and Connect (TLC) campaign is sponsored by the Governor′s Office of Drug Control Policy and administered by The Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center, a program funded by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The campaign seeks to provide parents with resources to prevent prescription and over-the-counter medication abuse.

JAMA Special Communication: CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain

Information on the development of the CDC prescribing guidelines and a summary of the 12 primary recommendations.

My Top Care

Multiple tools to assist prescribers with risk assessment and monitoring, continued treatment with opioids, urine drug tests, and stopping of opioids.

Providers' Clinical Support System for Opioid Therapies (PCSS-O)
PCSS-O is a national training and mentoring project developed in response to the prescription opioid overdose epidemic. The consortium of major stakeholders and constituency groups with interests in safe and effective use of opioid medications offers extensive experience in the treatment of substance use disorders and specifically, opioid use disorder treatment, as well as the interface of pain and opioid use disorder. PCSS-O makes available at no cost CME programs on the safe and effective use of opioids for treatment of chronic pain and safe and effective treatment of opioid use disorder.

Providers' Clinical Support System for Medication Assisted Treatment (PCSS-MAT)
PCSS-MAT is a national training and clinical mentoring project developed in response to the opioid use disorder crisis. The overarching goal of PCSS-MAT is to provide the most effective evidenced-based clinical practices in the prevention, identification, and treatment of opioid use disorders. These are available to all health professionals at no cost and include:

• Online modules
• Webinars
• Small Group Discussions with experts
• 8 hour MAT waiver training course

PCSS Clinical Tools

PCSS Education and Training

Iowa’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)

Prescribers and their designated agents can register to access Iowa’s PMP via this online portal.

PMP User Guide

Information on accessing and utilizing Iowa’s prescription monitoring program.

2016 PMP Annual Report

Annual Report from the Board of Pharmacy to the Governor and the Legislature regarding PMP registration and usage. In 2016, 42% of eligible prescribers registered to access the PMP.

** June, 2017 Update ** The Iowa Board of Pharmacy is in the process of finalizing an RFP to identify a new vendor to develop and implement an updated PMP by the end of the year. These updates will include numerous improvements in PMP navigation, integration, and functionality.

American Medical Association – End the Epidemic Microsite
This AMA microsite includes information on state and national resources and education opportunities covering topics such as opioid abuse treatment options, safe opioid disposal, naloxone, the stigma of addiction. The site also features information regarding the ongoing work of the AMA Opioid Task Force.

American College of Physicians – SAFE Opioid Prescribing: Strategies. Assessment. Fundamentals. Education.
Online recording of an educational pre-course from the 2016 Internal Medicine Meeting, comprised of six modules covering safe and effective pain management when using extended and long-acting opioids. This web series is available until July 15, 2017; 3.5 CME credits and 3.5 COM points are available for the completion of all six modules.

CDC Opioid Dispensing Data
The data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encompasses per capital opioid dispensing.

Iowa Department of Public Health Educational Resources
Multiple formats available for both patients and providers. Print items available to order.