After reading this monograph, family physicians should be able to:
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate patients who have chronic nonmalignant pain in order to select appropriate candidates for opioid treatment.
- Balance the risk of drug addiction, diversion and other problematic behaviors with the likelihood of being able to effectively manage patients’ pain.
- Implement a structured treatment protocol that incorporates regular assessment of effectiveness; progress toward treatment goals; and need for adjustments, including possible change or discontinuation of opioid therapy when it is ineffective or when there are significant problems.
- Develop a system to ensure periodic monitoring of patients in order to measure adherence.
