Prescribing Practices & Pain Management | 22 CME

Prescribing Practices & Pain Management | 22 CME

Course Description

This Prescribing Practices & Pain Management course has been approved by the Medical Board of California and is designed for physicians, nurse practitioners, attorneys, and physician assistants who seek to understand proper prescribing practices with an emphasis on the treatment of chronic pain patients. This course will examine the laws, regulations, and professional standards for the care and treatment of patients; the biochemistry of prescribed medications (pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics); and give practical advice on the initiation, discontinuation, and alternatives to prescription opioid medications. This course has been approved by the Medical Board of California for practitioners who have been required by hospitals, insurance companies, or regulatory agencies to take a course in prescribing practices.

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​Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be better able to:

·  Recognize proper patients for select prescribed medications and opiates

·  Evaluate and select the appropriate drug for each patient

·  Understand drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of prescribed medications

·  Use alternative modalities to opioids for chronic pain management

·  Create a plan for initiating opioid treatment for chronic pain when needed

·  Employ proper monitoring of patients on opioids

·  Identify aberrant use of opioids by patients and providers

·  Properly manage discontinuing opioid therapies safely

·  Adhere to government regulation of controlled substances

​Needs Assessment

Proper prescribing practices and effective pain management are essential to the health and welfare of patients. Medical prescribing and pain management is only a small part of any health education curriculum and many health care professionals do not fully understand the ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements for proper prescribing of controlled substances and pain management medications. The consequences of not understanding the elements of good prescribing practices can be devastating, including censure, loss of hospital privileges, probation, loss of medical license, and, in extreme instances, imprisonment.

​This educational program will attempt to provide health care practitioners with “best practices” and practical solutions for many of the prescribing and pain management issues facing clinicians in their practices. This program is designed for attending and resident physicians, dentists, veterinarians, chiropractors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses. Other healthcare professionals who may benefit from this activity are medical students, mental health providers, EMT’s, physical therapists, attorneys, and undergraduate students who wish to learn more about medical ethics and professionalism.

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Accreditation Statement

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 California, Irvine School of Medicine and the Academy of Ethics & Legal Medicine. The University of California, Irvine School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

​Designation Statement

The University of California, Irvine School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 22 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.