Injection drug use (IDU) has been fueled by the opioid crisis, resulting in a dramatic increase in hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. People with opioid use disorder (OUD) are 28 times more likely to contract HIV, and one in 10 new HIV infections is attributed to IDU. Further, the CDC reported a 233% increase in new HCV infections between 2010-2016.

Join the panel discussion as faculty discuss strategies for HIV and HCV testing in special OUD populations, applying evidence-based treatment approaches, as well as prevention strategies, including PrEP, for patients with OUD at high risk for HIV infection.

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Opioids continue to impact all corners of the United States and its communities, a burden that continues to grow at a rapid pace. The current opioid crisis is incredibly challenging for both patients and health care providers (HCPs). There has been a 30% increase in overdoses among men and a 24% increase among women, with all ages affected. While changing these current trends is important, it cannot be accomplished by policy changes alone. There is no one size fits all model for communities to address this crisis.

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The key to pain management is helping patients function better so that they can return to doing the things they enjoy. In this CME Snack, expert faculty discuss pain assessment tools and risk stratification so that clinicians can work together with patients to restore function and improve quality of life.

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Evaluating patients with chronic pain can be a daunting task, as the nervous system is complex and knowing which type of pain the patient is experiencing – neuropathic, nociceptive, or nociplastic – is the best guide for where clinicians should focus their treatment decisions. In this CME Snack on understanding and treating pain, expert faculty focus on the pathophysiology of pain and the underlying mechanisms to assessment and appropriate management.

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Gender plays an important role in pain, pain reception, and opioid use.  In this CME Snack, expert faculty discuss how gender and sexual trauma and/or abuse affects a patient’s proclivity to substance abuse disorders.

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In a survey of 1,015,116 opioid naïve patients undergoing surgery, total duration of opioid use was the strongest predictor of misuse and the greatest risk for individuals in the 15-24 age group. Young people aged 15-24 often get their first exposure to opioids with dental surgery. In a survey of randomly selected oral surgeons conducted by Dr. Abubaker and colleagues, the average number of opioid tablets prescribed was 20, with 22% prescribing more than 20 tablets, and 11% prescribing more than 30 tablets. These risk factors, combined with the current epidemic, has led many oral surgeons to believe that the old standards of depending on opioids as a first-line treatment should be a thing of the past. In this free CME Snack, Dr. Gold and Dr. Abubaker share insights on alternative pain management strategies for oral pain with a focus on finding a balance between compassion for patient care and patient safety.

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Opioid medications are among the most powerful medications available for the treatment of acute severe pain. Many patients start down the road of opioid addiction when prescribed opioids the first time following a surgery, trauma, or injury. In a 2017 survey of PAs clinical practice, PAs are not only prescribing Schedule II and III drugs, but are managing patients with pain in their practices and have expressed a need for education on both prescribing opioids and managing their patients, particularly for those of underserved populations. In this CME Snack on best ways to approach opioid use, expert faculty discuss the importance of gathering comprehensive patient histories that include substance use information, listening to patient stories, and the wellness component of treating patients with pain.

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Primary care physicians can play a key role in making a difference in the opioid epidemic. PCPs are responsible for approximately 50% of opioid prescriptions and need to incorporate best practice strategies to optimize safe and competent prescribing, therefore minimizing potential for abuse and diversion.  Although chronic pain is not something a physician can cure, if the patient feels understood and heard treatment will be more successful. This CME Snack focuses on the complexity of chronic pain and how best to manage it in a primary care setting, with expert faculty discussing how PCPs and their patients can make informed decisions together.

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In light of the current opioid crisis, many states have put forward prescribing mandates and limits for opioids, clinical practice guidelines can provide guidance for treatment decisions for acute pain in the management of minor to major musculoskeletal injuries. In this CME Snack, expert faculty discuss non-opioid approaches to acute pain and the new Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Acute Pain Management. Download the OTA Clinical Practice Guidelines for Acute Pain Management

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Early in the opioid crisis, physicians were the principle source of opioid use and abuse due to overprescribing, often leading to patients storing leftover prescriptions at home and friends or family members finding and using these leftovers. Unfortunately, simply restricting opioid prescriptions is not an effective strategy in a culture that has wildly available and accessible drugs of abuse available.  In this CME Snack, Dr. Mark S. Gold focuses on the biological underpinnings of opioid addiction in order to educate clinicians on how to address the opioid epidemic in their communities.

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In this CME Snack, Jessica Nickel, founder of the Addiction Policy Forum, and Dr. Mark Gold focus on community-based strategies to provide an effective care settings for those dealing with substance use disorder.

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The opioid epidemic is ravaging many parts of the United States, resulting in drug overdose deaths emerging as the leading cause of injury death. Two populations in particular warrant attention of healthcare providers: incarcerated individuals and veterans. Approximately half of state and federal prisoners meet criteria for substance use disorder, and the number of veterans addicted to opioids rose 55% between 2010 and 2015. Participate in this webcast to as faculty discuss best practices to reduce the risk of relapse or death among special populations with OUD.

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