Overview/Description: This is a three-hour long podcast series – (11) episodes – that are patient case-based and recorded for self-paced listening. Dr. Stader and Dr. Duncan will discuss management of chronic opioid therapy via a real-life patient case, applying best practice opioid prescribing guidelines from the Compass Opioid Stewardship project. The topics discussed include introducing an opioid stewardship framework, building therapeutic alliance with the patient, reframing pain and introducing pain psychology, addressing medication risks, naloxone and overdose education, and tapering conversations. Key practices for tapering opioids and benzodiazepines are also addressed, along with appropriate risk management strategies

Target Audience:  Primary care practice clinicians, internal medicine clinicians, chronic pain management providers

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of the podcast Series the participant will be able to

• Identify when it is appropriate to continue chronic opioid therapy for a patient vs. taper or rotation to a safer agent
• Discuss how to build therapeutic alliance with a patient receiving chronic opioid therapy
• Recall nonpharmacologic and nonopioid alternatives for the treatment of pain and ongoing pain management
• Select the safest agent, dosage, and duration for a patient identified as benefiting from opioid therapy
• Recognize and manage the risks of chronic opioid therapy and other controlled substances
• Apply harm reduction best practices including overdose education and naloxone
• Recommend appropriate tapering strategies for patients co-prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines