A thorough assessment must focus not only on tests that clarify the physical disease or disorder, but also on a thorough exploration of risk potential for opioid misuse, abuse and addiction as a course of opioid analgesics may be prescribed. Through a thoughtful and provocative combination of these assessment processes, clinicians may be more informed concerning the type, duration, and dosage of therapy that will most likely contribute to positive outcomes. For many chronic pain patients, this therapy will include a trial of opioids; however, not every patient is an appropriate candidate for opioid analgesics, therefore, one of the goals of the assessment process is to determine the most appropriate therapeutic regimen for the individual patient.

Due to the ever-increasing focus on safe and effective prescribing of opioids that minimize possible negative consequences of opioid misuse, this activity is designed to incorporate a blend of didactic presentations, video case vignettes, and live interview scenarios to provide participants with insight and interviewing techniques that will assure a thorough assessment in which to make the most appropriate diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan for patients with chronic pain.

	Module 1: Assessment and Communication Tools and Techniques Designed to Guide Your Treatment Micke A. Brown, BSN, RN

	Module 2: Moment of Truth: Tools and Techniques Needed to Manage the Patient with Chronic Pain Steven D. Passik, PhD

	Module 3: Understanding Why Objective Assessment Results Improve the Patient-Practitioner Relationship Steven P. Stanos, DO

Evaluation & Assessment Micke A. Brown, BSN, RN, Steven D. Passik, PhD, Steven P. Stanos, DO
Release Date: January 28, 2009 Expiration Date: January 28, 2010