THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC: PAIN AS THE FIFTH VITAL SIGN

COURSE FEE:  Free

This course was developed by Dental CE Academy without commercial support or curriculum influence.

CREDITS: This continuing education activity is designated for 1 credit.

AGD PACE SUBJECT CODE:  340 Pain Management; 134 Chemical Dependency

MODE: Electronically Mediated | Recorded lecture for On Demand Learning | Recorded January 1, 2021. Expires December 31, 2021

SPEAKER: Dr. Kirsten Roling

AUDIENCE: Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists, Dental Assistants. Novice to advanced.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED:  Mobile device, laptop or desktop with stable internet connection | Google Chrome Browser

PROVIDER DISCLOSURE: Dental CE Academy discloses no leadership position, nor commercial interest in any products or services discussed or shared during this educational activity. No manufacturer or third party influenced or provided input in the development of this course.

INSTRUCTIONS: Register for this On Demand webinar. Check your inbox for confirmation and link to "Join" sent from "no-reply@clickmeeting.com". Your attendance will be verified for AGD PACE - please do not fast forward. Upon completion, log out. Then check your email for an evaluation link. Complete the evaluation, your CE Credit verification will be sent to you within 1 - 5 minutes. We strongly recommend adding "support@dentalcenow.com" to your safe sender list. For assistance visit: https://www.dentalceacademy.com/ceverification  Our business hours are M - F, 9 am to 6 pm PT. We will respond within 1 business day. 

COURSE SUMMARY:  In 2000, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals accepted pain as the “fifth vital sign” and the norm became the idea that pain management and opioids were synonymous. Evidence suggests, (based on qualitative studies) and supports the idea that some providers feel pressured to prescribe opioids to ensure overall patient satisfaction.  Pain management was subsequently embedded in patient satisfaction questionnaires. Patient satisfaction, now integrally linked to perceived pain, became used as the formula for medicare/medicaid reimbursement. This course will discuss the unintended consequences of health care policy that helped to fuel the opioid epidemic. 

1. Review the three driving forces that resulted in quadrupling of opioids prescribed

2. Define "pain" as the fifth vital sign

3. Define the concept of oligoanalgesia

4. Describe the lack of efficacy of the NRS as a pain-screening tool

5. List the many factors according to the American Medical Association that have contributed to the opioid crisis.

Disclosure of Speaker and Faculty Commercial Relationships: According to Dental CE Academy's  Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Policy, faculty and speakers for any course are expected to disclose any economic support, personal interests, or potential bias that may be perceived as creating a conflict related to the material being presented. Disclosure statements are printed in each course description and announced by moderators or individual speakers at the beginning of each presentation. This policy is intended to alert the audience to any potential bias or conflict so that participants may form their own judgments about the material being presented.

Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure of Speaker:  Dr. Kirsten Roling, DDS; is the Chief Education Officer for Dental CE Academy.  She is not paid an honorarium, and is financially associated with Dental CE Academy. This course receives no sponsor support.

Dental CE Academy Disclaimer:  The views expressed and opinions and materials presented during these live and recorded presentations represent the personal views and opinions of the individual speaker and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Dental CE Academy or its parent company, Virtual Dontics®. Dental CE Academy assumes no responsibility for the content of the presentations made by the individual speakers. Any suggested protocols for treatment, materials, or services may be based upon the speaker's own clinical experience and should not be construed as Dental CE Academy recommended or endorsed. Selected presentations may include exploratory research or experimental procedures and are intended for informational purposes that may lead to interest and scientific breakthroughs in the fields of dentistry.    Dental CE Academy appreciates its educators who share their knowledge and expertise. This level of dedication to dentistry allows our profession to expand and thrive and provokes necessary discussion and understanding.