Pain Management: A Guide to Safe Prescribing - 4 AOA Category 1-A Credits

Provided by an AOA-accredited Category 1 CME sponsor, this activity is eligible for AOA Category 1-A credit and includes instructor interaction; questions submitted by email will receive a response within 48 hours. Pain management sits at the intersection of patient function, safety, and regulatory risk. This course equips osteopathic physicians with a clinically practical framework for evaluating and treating pain by distinguishing nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic mechanisms so treatment selection is targeted, defensible, and more likely to improve outcomes. Participants will review core pain pathophysiology and apply evidence-based pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies across common pain presentations. The activity also strengthens competence in safe opioid prescribing and risk mitigation, including effective use of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP), patient risk stratification, and diversion prevention. Designed for real-world practice, this training supports balanced decision-making that addresses pain relief while managing the realities of addiction risk, tolerance, and compliance expectations.

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.