Adequate assessment and management of acute and chronic pain continues to be a public health burden in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 million adults in the United States have chronic daily pain, with 19.6 million adults experiencing high-impact chronic pain that interferes with daily life or work activities. The cost of pain to our nation is estimated at between $560 billion and $635 billion annually. At the same time, our nation is facing an opioid crisis that, over the past two decades, has resulted in an unprecedented wave of overdose deaths associated with prescription opioids, heroin and synthetic opioids. As of June 27, 2023, the Federal Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act mandates practitioners to confirm completion of a new training requirement (8 hours of education related to substance use disorder management) before renewing their DEA license. This applies to all prescribers: NPs, PAs, MDs, Dos, etc.

 

In 2021, 46.3 million people aged 12 or older (or 16.5 percent of the population) met the criteria for having a substance use disorder in the past year. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and other therapeutic techniques, to provide a comprehensive approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. This presentation will explore the demographics and terms associated with substance use disorders. It will further explore the concepts of medication-assisted treatment and the indications for its use. Finally, specific medications and therapeutic approaches will be described so providers can have the tools to better treat substance use disorders.

 

21% of U.S. adults have chronic pain and 8% have high-impact chronic pain. New cases of chronic pain occur more often among U.S. adults than new cases of several other common chronic conditions. Individuals with severe pain have worse health, use more health care, and have more disability than those with less severe pain. Many chronic pain sufferers rely on opioids to manage their pain and contribute to the opioid addiction crisis. There are many pharmacologic approaches that can be used to treat chronic pain. Additionally, a growing body of evidence suggests that complementary approaches, such as acupuncture, hypnosis, massage, spinal manipulation, and yoga, may be useful to manage pain. This presentation will explore the background of chronic pain and the non-opioid pharmacological and integrative alternatives available to treat it.

 

This course is designed to equip healthcare providers, particularly those in primary care settings, with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of OUD, including its definitions, prevalence, and associated risks. Additionally, the course will delve into the evidence-based treatment options available, with a particular focus on buprenorphine. Participants will learn how to design and implement an integrated buprenorphine program that incorporates telehealth for enhanced patient-provider communication. Finally, the course will guide participants in creating personalized induction and continuation plans to optimize patient outcomes.

 

Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are chronic, treatable diseases that should be managed using principles similar to those of other chronic illnesses using a nonjudgmental and empathetic approach. This program discusses identifying, screening and the management of various SUDs including opioids and alcohol.