NEJM CME Pain Management & Opioids

Link to a free continuing medical education program on pain management and safe opioid prescribing from the New England Journal of Medicine. The training is provided through an interactive website and features a case-based training model. Learning objectives include understanding the latest Continue reading

Central Oregon Pain Guide

The Central Oregon Health Council created this website to provide resources to providers, patients and caregivers who are seeking non-opioid options for chronic non-cancer pain management. The website includes educational videos, downloadable education guides, links to other resources, and connections to local treatment options.

Funding Source: Central Oregon Health Council  

Heal Safely

This website was developed by stakeholders in Oregon to help patients and their caregivers Heal Safely from injury and trauma. It includes patient stories and resources for patients to develop a pain management plan and understand the risks of prescription medications. The website was developed with tribal and Latino participation and has a option to display materials and videos in Spanish. Continue reading

St. Joseph’s ALTO – Alternatives to Opiates

This is the website for the ALTO (Alternatives to Opiates) Program which provides alternative treatments for some common pain conditions seen in emergency departments. The website provides background information on the program, contact information, and links to media coverage of the initiative. Continue reading

Transforming the Treatment of Chronic Pain – Moving Beyond Opioids

A guide from the Veterans Health Administration to assist clinicians in moving away from using opioids to treat chronic pain in favor of non-pharmacological and non-opioid treatments for chronic pain. Includes sections on how to talk to veterans about opioid safety and alternatives to opioid treatment, Includes a step model approach to chronic pain management with step one offering self-management of pain with Continue reading

Suicide and Patients with Chronic Pain

This clinician’s guide from the Veterans Health Administration addresses the increased risk of suicide in patients with chronic pain. It includes information on what providers should look for when assessing the risk of suicide, strategies for working with patients to reduce suicide, and what to do if the provider suspects a patient is suicidal.

Funding Source:  Veterans Administration Academic Detailing Service

Acute Pain Management – Meeting the Challenges

This guide to managing acute pain was created by the Veterans Administration to help their clinicians reduce opioid prescriptions while also treating their patient’s pain. The guide presents a step-wise approach to pain management: step 1 prioritzes non-pharmacological treatments, step 2 consists of non-pharmacological approaches and non-opioid pharmacotherapy second, and step 3 adds short term use of short-acting Continue reading

Tapering Toolkit Provider Resources

This 2016 toolkit from Partnership Health Plan of California provides guidance for providers seeking to engage their patients in a step-wise, physician directed tapering of their opioid dose. The toolkit has 4 sections: how to identify candidates for tapering, how to collaboratively set a tapering plan with the patient, how to manage the tapering process and complications, and advice on planning for special situations Continue reading

Prescription Opioids for Surgical Pain

The Washington Department of Health developed these patient education guides in conjunction with the implementation of new opioid prescribing guidelines in the state. This patient guide discusses prescription opioids for surgical pain.

Funding Source:  Washington Department of Health