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Introduction to Safe Prescribing of Opioids for Pain Management

Introduction to Safe Prescribing of Opioids for Pain Management

CME Certificate Fee: $25.00 (USD) for certificate

Optional Maintenance of Certification Credit (MOC) Fee: $10.00 (USD) per point

1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM

1.00 Part II MOC points are available for these specialty board(s):

American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Credit Type: Medical Knowledge
  • Practice Areas: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease
American Board of Surgery
  • Credit Type: Accredited CME
  • Practice Areas: General Surgery

Estimated time to complete this activity: 1.00 hours

Author(s)/Editor(s): Randa Kutob, MD
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT: All author(s), contributor(s), editor(s), and CME Office Reviewer(s) state that they do not have any financial arrangements with ineligible companies (commercial interests) that could constitute a conflict of interest.
Further Author/Editor Information | Further CME Information
Meets Special CME Requirements in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming     Learn More >>

New York Licensees: This course will NOT meet the NY pain management/palliative care/addiction requirement for prescribers.
Meets the DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) requirement.

Outcome Objectives:

As a result of completing this activity, the participant will be better able to:

  • Review epidemiological data on opioid-related morbidity and mortality
  • Identify key aspects of the medical assessment for patients suffering from pain syndromes
  • Use preferred modalities and medications for the treatment of acute and chronic non-terminal pain
  • When opioids are prescribed, describe appropriate risk assessment and risk reduction strategies

Learning Format: Case-based, interactive online course, including mandatory assessment questions (number of questions varies by course or module). Please also read the Technical Requirements.

CME Sponsor: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Credit Designation and Accreditation Statements >>
Current CME Approval Period: June 22, 2022 - June 21, 2025
Original Release Date: June 22, 2017
Most Recent Review by Author: June 22, 2022
Most Recent Review by CME Sponsor: June 22, 2022
Financial Support Received: Supported by Grant Number 1U17CE002717-01, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Introduction to Safe Prescribing of Opioids for Pain Management
1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM

1.00 Part II MOC points are available for these specialty board(s) (Optional):

American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Credit Type: Medical Knowledge
  • Practice Areas: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease
American Board of Surgery
  • Credit Type: Accredited CME
  • Practice Areas: General Surgery
Current CME Approval Period: June 22, 2022 - June 21, 2025
Financial Support Received: Supported by Grant Number 1U17CE002717-01, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.

ACCME/AMA PRA Accreditation Statement

The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CME Office Contact Information and CME Disclosure

The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Office of Continuing Medical Education
520-626-7832
uofacme@arizona.edu

The following University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson CME Reviewers, Activity Directors, or Planning Committee Members have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies (commercial interests) that could constitute a conflict of interest with the proposed activity:

Robert Amend, M.Ed.
Randa Kutob, MD

MOC Recognition Statement(s)

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 Medical Knowledge Part II MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.


Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.


If you elect to receive MOC credit for this course, you give permission for VLH.com to share your information and activity completion data with the ACCME and the specialty board(s) chosen through the ACCME's Program and Activity Reporting System (PARS).

Introduction to Safe Prescribing of Opioids for Pain Management
About the Author

Randa Kutob, MD
Dr. Kutob is an Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson and Director of the Office of Continuing Medical Education. She is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine with extensive teaching, clinical work, and research in the arena of cross-cultural care and chronic disease prevention and treatment.

Disclosure: Dr. Kutob states that she does not have any financial arrangements that could constitute a conflict of interest.

About the Reviewers/Editors

Daniel Derksen, MD
Dr. Derksen is the Walter H. Pearce Endowed Chair and Director of the University of Arizona (UA) Center for Rural Health (AzCRH). He is also Professor in the Public Health Policy and Management Program at UA's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. As AzCRH Director, he oversees the State Office of Rural Health (AzSORH), the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (AzFlex), the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (AzSHIP), and the AzCRH Navigator Consortium.

Disclosure: Dr. Derksen states that he does not have any financial arrangements that could constitute a conflict of interest.
Aram Mardian, MD
Dr. Mardian is Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and Chief of the Chronic Pain Wellness Center at the Phoenix VA Health Care System. He is a board-certified family physician and holds additional certifications in pain medicine and medical acupuncture. He serves as Co-Chair for the Health Care Advisory Team for the Arizona Prescription Drug Misuse & Abuse Initiative.

Disclosure: Dr. Mardian states that he does not have any financial arrangements that could constitute a conflict of interest.
William C. Thompson IV, MD
Dr. Thompson is a Pain Medicine Specialist board certified in both Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. He is the Vice President of the Arizona Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and a board member of the Arizona Society of Anesthesiologists. He serves on the Arizona Department of Health Services Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Initiative Health Care Advisory Team.

Disclosure: Dr. Thompson states that he does not have any financial arrangements that could constitute a conflict of interest.
Introduction to Safe Prescribing of Opioids for Pain Management
Ratings (5382 responses)
How would you rate this program overall?
Average Rating: 4.00/5.00
How well were the learning objectives of this program met?
Average Rating: 4.25/5.00
User Comments
by Hidden | Dec 30, 2024
I really liked the format and quick feed back on answers.
by Paul Conyette | Dec 24, 2024
Overall a very good experience for me.
by Teri Alberty | Dec 3, 2024
I enjoyed the interactive/case study way of teaching. Very interesting
by Hidden | Nov 16, 2024
good course
by Hidden | May 25, 2024
I really liked how there were non-opioid clinical elements
by Hidden | Feb 11, 2024
There is too little attention to the fact that reducing or discontinuing opioid medication may lead to the patient acquiring illicit, borrowed, or street medication, which substantially increases the risk of overdose. This complication has increased drastically since the authorship of the CME.
Introduction to Safe Prescribing of Opioids for Pain Management
This course meets general AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credit(s)TM requirements in states that have a CME requirement.

Based on information from state licensing authorities, this program meets special CME requirements in these states:

Alabama Controlled Substance Prescribing Practices CME
Alabama DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Alaska DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Alaska Pain Management, Opioid Use, and Addiction CME
Arizona Opioid-Related, Substance Use-Related, or Addiction-Related CME
Arizona DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Arkansas DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Arkansas Prescribing of Opioids and Benzodiazepines CME
California Pain Management CME
California Controlled Substance Education (Physician Assistant CME Requirement)
Required for PAs, not MD/DOs.
California DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Colorado DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Connecticut DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Connecticut Behavioral Health CME
Delaware Controlled Substance Prescribing Practices CME
Delaware DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
District of Columbia Pharmacology CME
District of Columbia Public Health Topics CME
District of Columbia DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Florida DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Georgia DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Georgia Controlled Substance Prescribing Practices CME
Guam DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Hawaii DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Idaho DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Illinois DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Illinois Safe Opioid Prescribing Practices CME
Indiana Opioid Prescribing and Opioid Abuse CME
Indiana DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Iowa DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Iowa Chronic Pain Management / Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain CME
Was formerly Chronic Pain Management requirement. In June 2022, they want Opioid Prescribing, but they don't specify how many credits. Probably still 2 credits?
Kansas DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Maine Prescribing of Opioid Medication CME
Maine DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Maryland Prescribing or Dispensing of Controlled Substances CME (i.e., OCSA CE Requirement)
Maryland DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Massachusetts DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Massachusetts Opioid Education/Pain Management CME
May be counted as risk management credits.
Massachusetts Risk Management CME
Michigan Pain and Symptom Management CME
Michigan DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Minnesota DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Mississippi DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Mississippi Prescribing Controlled Substances CME
Missouri DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Montana DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Nebraska Controlled Substances Continuing Competency CME
Nebraska DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Nevada Pain Management CME
Nevada Misuse and Abuse of Controlled Substances; Prescribing of Opioids; or Addiction CME
Nevada DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
New Hampshire DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
New Jersey Prescription Opioids CME
New Jersey DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
New Mexico DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
New Mexico Pain Management CME
New York DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
North Carolina Controlled Substance Prescribing CME
North Carolina DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
North Dakota DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Oklahoma DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Oregon DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Pennsylvania DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Pennsylvania Pain Management / Prescribing or Dispensing of Opioids CME
Puerto Rico DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Rhode Island DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
South Carolina DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
South Carolina Safe Prescribing and Monitoring of Controlled Substances CME
South Dakota DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Tennessee DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Tennessee Controlled Substance Prescribing CME
Texas Medical Ethics / Professional Responsibility CME
Texas Pain Management and the Prescription of Opioids
These courses meet the pain management CME requirement for pain management clinics.
Texas DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
U.S. Virgin Islands DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Utah DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Utah Controlled Substance Prescribing CME
Vermont Prescribing of Controlled Substances CME
Vermont DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Virginia Pain Management and the Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances CME
Virginia DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Washington Opioid Prescribing CME
Washington DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
West Virginia DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
West Virginia DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Wisconsin DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Wyoming DEA Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE)
Wyoming Responsible Prescribing of Controlled Substances CME

View other courses meeting Special State Requirements
Introduction to Safe Prescribing of Opioids for Pain Management
Technical Requirements

This web-based activity is offered online and requires an always-on connection to the Internet (the activity cannot be downloaded). The activity works on PC or Mac computers and most tablet computers. The activity should work with the newer versions of major Internet browsers, including Edge, Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. JavaScript should be enabled in all browsers, and Popups and first party cookies need to be accepted from www.VLH.com. You should also have the latest, free Adobe Reader installed for reading documents.

For additional information, read the Technical Assistance FAQ.

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