Review the principles of safe opioid prescribing and earn CPD credits

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Updated online course now available

Opioid prescribing is a challenging area of medical practice. While there are certainly valid medical reasons for why opioid use may be an appropriate treatment for a patient, opioids also carry a higher risk of addiction or misuse. This is why it’s important physicians continue to use good clinical judgment and ensure they follow the latest prescribing guidelines.

In 2019, CPSA and the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine partnered to create an online course to support physicians with safe and responsible opioid prescribing. This course was recently updated to reflect current approaches to opioid prescribing and provide physicians with valuable, expert support on managing practical challenges and concerns often encountered in a physician’s practice.

Available through the University of Calgary’s online, self-learning platform, Wise Prescribing and Deprescribing: Opioid Skills for the Frontline Clinician includes recorded webinars, quizzes, clinical pearls, prescribing resources and more.

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Identify whether opioid tapering is an appropriate plan for a given patient
• Plan a tapering discussion that is evidence-based and responsive to a patient’s readiness for change
• Execute an opioid taper with a motivated patient
• Troubleshoot challenges that occur during an opioid taper

“This course is an excellent way to help physicians understand opioid management for patients,” says Dr. Monica Wickland-Weller, CPSA senior medical advisor and a member of the course’s planning committee. “Physicians will find valuable support for managing both new patients and long-term patients with challenging medical conditions. The course offers practical approaches to real-life situations and is a great way to update knowledge and ensure patients are receiving the best care.”

Find out more and register for this course on the University of Calgary’s website

Questions about the course? Email ecme@ucalgary.ca.

Looking for resources or help with opioid prescribing? Visit our website or email air.inquiries@cpsa.ab.ca.