Opioids and Your Patient

Free

CPD Accredited

EA 1

Learn more about prescription opioids including their benefits and negative impacts CPD accredited with RACGP, ACRRM

Description

Maximise patient benefits

Minimise potential harms

RACGP and ACRRM CPD hours

1 hour online course

About this Program

Get the skills, tools and knowledge you need to maximise benefits and minimise potential harms to patients with prescription opioids.  

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.

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 understand the role of prescription opioids and the negative impacts they can have.

Opioids and Your Patient provides GPs and other prescribers of prescription opioids to adults with the skills, tools and knowledge to maximise patient benefits and minimise potential harms.

CPD Accreditation

This free course is CPD accredited with the following organisations in the 2023-2025 triennium:

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP):

Educational Activities: 1 hours

Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM):

Educational Activities: 1 hours

Program Content

Learning Outcomes

This course will help you achieve the following learning outcomes:

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 de-prescribe prescription opioids in adults.  
Identify 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 de-prescribing.

Course Content

Opioids and the Dangers of Use 
When and How to Prescribe 
Patients on Prescription Opioids 
De-prescribing Prescription Opioids 
Resources

Developed in partnership with

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