Tools and resources available for providers
PORTLAND, Ore. March 15, 2016 -- Last week, FamilyCare Health, in collaboration with the Oregon Medical Association, began a three-part training series for medical providers on "Safer and Effective Management of Pain." The first session explored how to discuss effective chronic pain management strategies with patients. The remaining free seminars, available with continuing medical education (CME) credits, will be offered on April 22nd and June 3rd at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel; registration information will be available through EventBrite in late March-early April and also on http://www.familycareinc.org The April session will focus on introducing safer evidence-based treatments as well as successful tapering approaches. The final session will emphasis the use of patient peer support groups.
Opioid addiction has reached epidemic proportions both nationally and in Oregon, where the mortality rate due to prescription opioid overdose increased 364 percent between 2000 and 2006. While it has decreased since then, it remains almost three times higher than in 2000. In 2013, 3.6 million prescriptions for opioid painkillers were dispensed in Oregon, enough for 925 prescriptions for every 1,000 residents. According to the Oregon Health Authority, more drug poisoning deaths involve prescription opioids than any other type of drug, including alcohol, methamphetamines, heroin and cocaine.
"Oregon is awash in opioids with the second highest prescribing rate in the country," says Dr. Joseph Badolato, FamilyCare's Medical Director. "More people die from opioid overdose than from car accidents. FamilyCare is initiating an educational program for physicians to address this problem by providing tools and resources which they can use on a daily basis to more effectively and safely treat pain."
"One of the most difficult conversations in health care is between a provider and a patient talking about persistent pain," says Dr. Joe Hromco, Clinical Psychologist and VP of Operations at Western Psychological & Counseling Services and one of the series presenters. "By providing tools gleaned from motivational interviewing and our experiences with behavioral health consultation within primary care, we can help improve this conversation and increase the use of effective and safe methods to address persistent pain."
About FamilyCare Health
For 30+ years, FamilyCare Health has been providing patient-centered health care to Oregonians. With over 130,000 members, FamilyCare Health is a Medicare and Medicaid managed care organization providing health plan services in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Marion counties. FamilyCare was the first health plan in Oregon to integrate models of physical and mental health. It was the first Coordinated Care Organization in the tri?county area certified by the Oregon Health Authority. More information at http://www.familycareinc.org/
FamilyCare Proactively Addresses Opioid Epidemic in Oregon
March 15, 2016
