What are the roles of integrated care team members in the primary care setting in identifying, treating, and referring patients misusing opioids?

Primary care teams play a vital role as the first, and often most frequent opportunity, to identify and treat patients who are misusing opioids. This module examines the value and importance of the medically trained primary care team member in prescribing and monitoring opioid use during a patient encounter and how the primary care team can treat as well as refer these patients. Provided herein are tools to help team members work alongside each other efficiently and effectively in an effort to reduce the risk of patient opioid use disorders.  We will discuss key points related to prescribing opioids, assessing patient use and potential abuse of opioids, and programs for monitoring opioid use. Additionally, alternative options for pain management and chronic care accommodations are provided.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize and assign the roles of integrated team members in pain reduction and pain management, which includes prescribing medication and alternative treatment as well as screening, identifying and treating patients experiencing opioid use and opioid-induced disorders.
• Describe alternatives to the use of opioids for pain management and pain reduction for all patients.
• Describe the key practice components of safe storage and safe disposal of opioids.

Who should complete this module?

The information in this module is valuable for all integrated team members, including clinicians, nurses, behavioral health staff, medical assistants, front & back office staff, and care managers.

The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number CMS-1G1-14-001 from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM), a four-year initiative, is funded by up to $65 million from CMS. The content provided is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of HHS or any of its agencies.