Studies show that over 12 million people misuse prescription opioids, out of which about 33,000 die due to overdose. Also, about 1 in 10 Americans have used an illicit drug in the recent past. With such statistics of drug abuse, physicians must keep themselves updated with recent developments in this field to help patients effectively.
Certified health care professionals need to complete CME requirements annually to maintain the active status of their licensure. As a medical professional, you can pursue online CME courses, certified by professional bodies such as the ACPE.
These certified courses provide CME credits necessary for physicians to remain credentialed to continue their practice. Below listed are some of the factors you should consider while selecting the right online courses for drug abuse.
Course Providers
Before signing up for an online course, you should check the credentials of the course providers. Understand their teaching methods and learning outcomes. You can find these details furnished on the provider’s website. Check if they provide courses explicitly focusing on drug therapy.
The reputed course providers offer accredited medical and pharmacy continuing education, certified by ACPE / AAFP / AMA PRA Category.
Faculty
You should give due consideration to the faculty conducting the online sessions. Some of the accredited providers engage clinical faculty from reputed medical schools, with over 25 years of teaching experience. Moreover, a few such faculty are a part of the Rho Chi, the only pharmacy honor society, with the areas of expertise in substance abuse.
UpdatedOnline Programs
Make sure the content of online programs is relevant to current medical practices. Ensure the course objectives include the latest trends and data on drug abuse. They should list the most commonly diverted drugs and distinguish between abuse and addiction potential of various substances. The courses should diligently categorize the impact of substance abuse, especially drug overdose deaths.
At the end of the course, you should be able to assess the patients to be a potential candidate for the latest opioid trials. You will be capable of initiating and titrating opioid treatment (IR and ER/LA) safely, maximizing efficiency while minimizing risks.
A few updated CME courses discuss the potential medical use and misuse of marijuana and other drugs.
Evidence-based CME Courses
The online CME courses should compare and contrast the evidence for and against the medical use of prominent drugs. The sessions should include key practice recommendations affirmed by approved evidence-based sources. Such sources involve systematic identification and assessment of trials, as per predefined criteria.
The courses should focus on evidence-based medication therapy management and establish realistic goals for pain management. Such evidence-based courses precisely list the common adverse effects associated with drug abuse.
Exhaustive Target Audience
The courses should be perfect for physicians, physician assistants, nurses & nurse practitioners. These courses typically provide a credible number of hours of AMA Category 2 credit. The number of hours varies with the category of healthcare professionals.
As a healthcare professional dealing with patients suffering from drug abuse, it is essential to pursue CME courses available online. Such programs enhance your knowledge with the latest medical practices and certifications, helping you to effectively counsel patients about substance abuse.