Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects millions of Americans and remains one of the most challenging conditions to treat effectively. This 1-hour CME/CE webinar, Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain Management, focuses on the appropriate use of opioid medications within the broader context of pain management. It provides an evidence-based, practical guide for healthcare professionals responsible for balancing efficacy, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Learners will explore the most commonly prescribed opioids, review prescribing strategies aligned with clinical best practices, and identify harm reduction techniques to mitigate opioid-related risks. The course also emphasizes the importance of patient engagement throughout therapy and provides an overview of alternative pharmacologic options for non-opioid pain management.

This course meets multiple state-mandated requirements, including those related to the prescribing of controlled substances, pain management, opioid safety, chronic pain therapy, and pharmacotherapeutics. It also satisfies the DEA’s MATE Act training requirement for opioid prescribers.

Educational Objectives

• Identify current clinical options and strategies for appropriate chronic opioid pain management.
• Apply harm reduction strategies to minimize opioid-related risks and improve patient outcomes.
• Recognize current clinical non-opioid pain management options and strategies for engaging patients in therapy.

Who Should Take This Course

This course is ideal for:

• Physicians, Physician Assistants, and Nurses across states including Texas, Florida, Delaware, Arizona, California, and more.
• Healthcare providers seeking to meet state-specific requirements in Controlled Substance Prescribing, Pain Management, Pharmacotherapeutics, and Chronic Pain Management.
• Clinicians are required to complete the DEA MATE Act training for opioid prescribing authority.
• Practitioners aiming to improve outcomes for chronic pain patients using opioid and non-opioid pharmacologic strategies.

Did You Know?

• More than 20% of U.S. adults suffer from chronic pain, with opioids frequently used despite known risks. [CDC, 2022]
• The MATE Act mandates that new or renewing DEA licensees complete specialized training on opioid and substance use disorder management. [DEA, 2023]
• Multimodal approaches to chronic pain management—combining opioid and non-opioid therapies—can significantly reduce opioid dosage requirements. [JAMA, 2021]
• Patient education and shared decision-making are critical in improving adherence and satisfaction in pain management. [Pain Research & Management, 2020]
• Misuse of prescription opioids accounts for over 10 million cases annually in the U.S., emphasizing the need for safe prescribing practices. [NIH]