Everyone has experienced physical pain, whether it’s short term, or more chronic and enduring. Opioids are commonly prescribed pharmacological intervention used to treat physical pain, and Canada is now the second highest consumer of opioids in the world.
While opioids may address physical and/or indirectly psychological pain for some people, they can also be dangerous (even when taken as prescribed), and can lead to problematic opioid use, overuse, dependence, overdose, or death.
This webinar will provide an overview of the evidence on pain and its association with problematic opioid use. It will also provide practical strategies and tools for nurses and other health care professionals to screen for pain and/or opioid use, and encourage appropriate use of opioids, or alternative pain management options.
The objectives of this webinar are to:
- Explain how pain and opioid use are linked
- Discuss a rational approach to assessing pain and risk of problematic opioid use
- Explain how opioids can be appropriately used to treat pain
- Describe alternative pain management options including combination pharmacological and non- pharmacological interventions
This webinar is hosted by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.