Pain Management: A Guide to Safe Prescribing

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

1. Distinguish between the pathophysiological mechanisms of nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain.

2. Evaluate common etiologies of acute and chronic pain to determine appropriate pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions.

3. Apply multidimensional assessment strategies that account for the impact of culture, bias, and psychosocial factors on the patient's pain experience.

4. Differentiate between the clinical characteristics of tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction to prevent misdiagnosis in pain patients.

5. Implement risk mitigation strategies, including the use of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP), to ensure safe opioid prescribing and diversion prevention.

Pain is a pervasive public health issue that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. This course provides a comprehensive review of pain pathophysiology, distinguishing between nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic mechanisms to inform the selection of appropriate treatments. Content covers evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, including safe opioid prescribing, risk mitigation using Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP), and diversion prevention. This training addresses the critical need for healthcare professionals to effectively manage pain while navigating the complexities of addiction, tolerance, and regulatory compliance.

State requirement: This course is designed to meet or contribute toward the pain management continuing education requirements for Physicians in states such as Alaska, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, and Oregon.