Safe Opioid Prescribing

There is a growing opioid epidemic in Canada. With more deaths attributed to opioid use than vehicular accidents in some communities, there is a need for comprehensive education and support of physicians who treat chronic pain.

The Safe Opioid Prescribing Series was developed is designed to support physicians to develop multi-modal approaches to complex chronic pain; initiate and manage safe and effective opioid therapy, prevent and address addiction to prescription opioids, and develop communication and collaboration practice skills to better manage opioid therapy for their chronic pain patients.

The series consists of three innovative webinars, followed by a small group, case based skills workshop. By the end of 2016, over 500 physicians and other health care professionals will have joined this innovative program.

In 2016, Dr. Abhimanyi Sud, the series’ Academic Director, was acknowledged by the Department of Family and Community Medicine Education Award of Excellence in Development and Use of Innovative Instructional Methods, for the creative and scholarly approach to the program’s development.

The program is offered three times a year, with the next series beginning in January 2017.