SCOPE of Pain

We've planned a series of 10 live meetings in different states across the country to educate clinicians on the safe and competent prescribing of Extended-Release (ER) Long-Acting (LA) opioids. The series will begin in Spring 2013. The program will address the essential content outlined in the agenda as well as state-specific policy and resource panels. These panels, modeled on our successful New England programming, consist of representatives from state and federal regulatory agencies — including, but not limited to, State Departments of Public Health (including the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and addiction treatment services), regional Drug Enforcement Administration offices, State Licensing Boards, State Attorneys General and State Police. They bring information and resources to clinicians, and open a valuable dialogue between regulatory agencies and clinicians. This dialogue is crucial since many participants do not understand the role of these agencies and the resources they can provide. The New England panel discussions have been invaluable and have led to an increase in provider use of state programs and resources. For example, 48% of participants of our established live meeting program who had not been previously registered have reported registering for and/or using the voluntary Massachusetts PDMP as a result of participating in our activities.