Opioids and Your Patient

Free

2 point RACGP CPD Activity

1 hour

2 point RACGP CPD Activity

1 hour

Learn how to help maximise patient benefits and minimise the potential harms.

Enrol today

Course description

Partnership

ReachForTheFacts

Summary

There has been a marked increase in the use of prescription opioids for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain (also known as persistent pain). This is despite growing evidence challenging the effectiveness of their use in these circumstances and even identifying the risk of adverse effects and potential for dependence.

This free online course has been developed to provide general practitioners and prescribers of prescription opioids to adults, with the skills, tools and knowledge to help maximise patient benefits and minimise the potential harms.

With over 1.98 million Australian adults starting prescription opioids each year, and over 3.1 million given an opioid yearly, it’s important for all health professionals to know the role of prescriptions opioids and the negative impacts they can have.

Program Content

Learning outcomes

After completion of this course, you will be able to:

understand the dangers of long-term use and misuse of prescription opioids in adults
utilise decision-making tools to determine when and how to prescribe and deprescribe prescription opioids in adults
assess when your patient is in trouble, including recognising red flags for dependence and diversion in adults
confidently engage in difficult conversations with adult patients around the dangers of opioid use, and about not prescribing or deprescribing.

Duration and accreditation

1 hour duration
Accredited as a 2 point CPD Activity under the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) CPD Program in the 2020-22 triennium