OVERVIEW

Maine Prescribing Laws, Limits and Compassionate Tapering is organized by Maine Medical Association, Center for Quality Improvement (MMA-CQI).

Description:
This module is intended to address the opioid-specific education requirements under Maine Public Law Chapter 21 and 488. Maine’s opioid prescribing law requires providers to limit the daily opioid dosages for chronic pain to patients. But how can providers meet this legal requirement while also limiting their patients’ distress? This online learning module reviews why tapering is important, common tapering scenarios, techniques for effectively and compassionately tapering opioid dosages, and office workflows around tapering.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this module, participants will better understand clinician burnout and compassion fatigue including:

Prescribing Laws (Understanding Chapter 21 and 488)
Understanding the principles of ethical and compassionate opioid tapering aimed at reducing unintentional overdose and suicide.
Review opioid prescribing trends in Maine, across the U.S. and internationally.
Understanding the services offered to prescribers in Maine through the Schmidt Institute’s Controlled Substance Stewardship Program.
Understand the risk factors for opioid overdose and suicide.

Table of Contents: The units will consist of the following:

Introduction
Pre-Assessment
Prescribing Laws (Understanding Chapter 21 and 488)
Understanding Prescribing Trends
Understanding how to Compassionately Opioid Taper & How to Discuss Tapering with Patients
Free Support for your Practice
Post-Assessment.