Initiating Buprenorphine - A Certificate Training Program

Initiating Buprenorphine - A Certificate Training Program is organized by American Pharmacists Association (APhA).

Initial release date: October 19, 2023
Expiration date: October 19, 2026 - No credit can be earned after this date

Course Description:
This comprehensive, webinar-based training program is designed to meet the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) training requirements for Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2023. Pharmacists and physicians initiating medications for opioid use disorder will learn about screening, non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic management and communication and addressing barriers related to management of pain and substance use disorders.

Learning Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

Module 1: Principles of Proper Pain Management

• Identify quantitative and qualitative strategies for comprehensive pain assessment.
• Discuss nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic options for multi-modal pain management.
• Describe appropriate methods to taper chronic opioid therapy as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Develop an effective treatment plan given a patient case scenario.

Module 2: Screening, brief intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration in SUD

• Recall signs and symptoms of SUD.
• Identify validated screening tools for substance use disorder.
• Recognize components of intervention planning along the continuum of SUD.
• Describe best practices in interdisciplinary collaboration for effective treatment of substance use disorder

Module 3: Pharmacologic Treatment for SUD

• Describe the prevalence and long-term risks of AUD and OUD.
• Review evidence-based treatment options for AUD and OUD.
• Discuss considerations for management of polysubstance use.
• Construct a patient-specific pharmacotherapy plan for OUD

Module 4: The Intersection of Mental Health Conditions and SUD

• Recognize the incidence of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Outline potential treatments and services for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Module 5: From Bystander to Advocate: Harm Reduction

• Describe the impact of harm reduction efforts.
• Recognize barriers to seeking and receiving tools to promote harm reduction and recovery.
• Practice statements that can be used to express concern for patients with addiction and promote change behavior.
• Discuss strategies to engage patients in care related to substance use disorders.

Module 6: The Self in Shame: Healing the Wounds of Substance Use Disorders

• Distinguish between the following terms: healthy shame, unhealthy shame, guilt and stigma.
• Explain how feelings related to shame can impact the treatment of substance use disorders and recovery process.
• Describe how pharmacists can use the principles of healthy and unhealthy shame in assisting patients who are recovering or struggling with substance use disorders.

Module 7: Addressing SDOH and Disparities in Pain Management

• Describe the relationship between social and economic determinants of health, risk for development of chronic pain and risk for inadequate pain management.
• Summarize ways that pharmacists and healthcare providers can reduce bias that contributes to health disparities in pain management.
• Identify available tools and resources for pharmacists to address barriers to effective pain management.

Module 8: Legal Responsibilities in Buprenorphine Prescribing

• Summarize current legislation allowing for pharmacists’ prescriptive authority of controlled substances.
• Identify legal requirements for prescribing buprenorphine.