Newswise — WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 23, 2014) – The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) Foundation has published an updated and expanded edition of a book intended to help address the rise of opioid abuse and related deaths in the United States by better educating physicians and other clinicians about their risks and proper use.
Written by pain medicine specialist Scott M. Fishman, MD, “Responsible Opioid Prescribing: A Clinician's Guide,” offers clinicians a clear safety orientation with steps for prescribers that are expected by state and federal regulators for vigilant practice around using, discontinuing or avoiding opioids for their patients in pain. The 2014 edition, which is accredited for up to 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ through Oct. 1, 2016, includes new information on the influential model guidelines adopted by the FSMB in 2013, FDA labeling and previously unavailable information on the prevention of opioid overdose.
Additionally, the book includes key portions of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) new “Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit” – a booklet summarizing current clinical advice in sections directed to various audiences, including clinicians who prescribe opioid analgesics, patients who use these medications, first responders, overdose survivors and their families, and community members.
“This new edition of ‘Responsible Opioid Prescribing’ is particularly important given the ongoing problem of prescription opioid abuse in the United States,” said Janelle Rhyne, MD, MACP, President of the FSMB Foundation. “This book provides sound advice aimed at helping physicians and other clinicians understand the magnitude of the problem and carefully manage opioid use while ensuring patients have access to needed medications.”
The book’s recommendations are grounded in the “Model Policy on the Use of Opioid Analgesics in the Treatment of Chronic Pain,” which was adopted by the FSMB in 2013, as well as other widely adopted guidance documents. The FSMB model policy, which was developed with support from SAMHSA, is an 11-point summary of practice guidelines, including patient evaluation, treatment plans, periodic review, and other aspects of managing patients in pain. The book expands on and translates these recommended guidelines into clear steps that can be implemented in real-world clinical practice.
The updated edition of “Responsible Opioid Prescribing: A Clinician’s Guide” is in step with several recent important federal efforts to combat prescription drug misuse, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) content guidelines for prescriber education, and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy “Action Plan To Address National Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic.”
Dr. Fishman is a leading pain medicine clinician, researcher, teacher, lecturer and writer. He is Chief of the Division of Pain Medicine and professor of Anesthesiology at the University of California, Davis. He has been board-certified in Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and Pain Medicine. Dr. Fishman is Past President of the American Academy of Pain Medicine.
“Responsible Opioid Prescribing: A Clinician’s Guide” was updated with support from SAMHSA. CME accreditation was received from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Bulk discounts are available for “Responsible Opioid Prescribing.” To order or for more information, please visit www.fsmb.org/books or call (817) 868-5160.
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The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) is a national non‐profit organization representing all medical boards within the United States and its territories that license and discipline allopathic and osteopathic physicians and, in some jurisdictions, other health care professionals. It assists these state and territorial medical boards as they go about their mandate of protecting the public’s health, safety and welfare. The FSMB leads by promoting excellence in medical practice, licensure and regulation.
The FSMB Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Federation of State Medical Boards. The Foundation’s mission is to promote research and education to improve the quality of health care through effective physician licensure and regulation. The FSMB Foundation undertakes educational and scientific research projects designed to expand public and medical professional knowledge and awareness of challenges impacting health care and health care regulation.
For more information about the FSMB and FSMB Foundation, please visit www.fsmb.org.
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