Pain Rx ‘More than a dose calculator’: DOs rate the CDC’s new Opioid Guideline app Prescribing guidelines and motivational interviewing features make this a must-have app for your virtual black bag. Jan. 25, 2017Wednesday Vicki Martinka Petersen Contact Vicki Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics health appsopioids During a routine physical, a middle-aged mom says she’s too achy to play with her children and asks you to raise the dose of her pain meds. How do you respond? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new Opioid Guideline app features an interactive motivational interviewing function designed to help physicians prepare for this type of scenario. The free app, available on iOS and Android devices, also includes: A morphine dosage calculator. Summaries of the CDC’s recommendations. Access to the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. We asked two DOs—a pain specialist and a family physician—to take the app for a test drive and report back on its usefulness. According to Jennifer Caudle, DO, and Anita Gupta, DO, the app is a valuable point-of-care tool for prescribers, providing vital educational resources and the latest information about prescribing opioids. Critical tools, information Putting the CDC’s current guidelines for opioid prescribing in the palms of prescribers will make it easier for clinicians to make informed decisions quickly, says Dr. Gupta, an anesthesiologist, pain specialist and licensed pharmacist who serves as an associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. “The morphine milligram calculator is especially helpful to ensure physicians are following the guidelines closely,” she adds. The app’s interactive motivational interviewing function helps prepare physicians to more effectively spark behavior changes in patients, says Dr. Caudle, an assistant professor of family medicine at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey. “It provides real examples of dialogue you can use when discussing opioids with patients,” she says. Educational resources Dr. Caudle was most impressed with the app’s numerous educational features, including fact sheets, checklists and pocket guides. “The resources section is much more extensive than I have seen with other apps,” Dr. Caudle says. “This app is more than a dose calculator. It’s a wonderful resource for guidelines, point-of-care tools and statistics.” Learn more about the features available on the CDC Opioid Guideline app. The views expressed are those of DO reviewers and do not reflect official policy or recommendations of the AOA. Related articles After creating successful opioid-reduction program, DOs share tips Two DOs reduced opioid use in their ER by 38%. Here’s their advice for others seeking to implement changes in their institutions. CDC releases guideline for PCPs on prescribing opioids for chronic pain The recommendation urges health care professionals to use non-opioid therapies for chronic pain, ‘start low and go slow’ when prescribing opioids, and monitor patients regularly. COMs commit to broadening medical education on opioid prescribing AOA partners with AACOM to improve medical student education on proper prescribing. More in Patient Care DOs vs. MDs: Do patient outcomes favor a side? A recent JAMA study explored patient outcomes following surgical procedures provided by DO and MD surgeons. Olympic water polo team physician shares insights on taking care of elite athletes Team USA physician Naresh Rao, DO, discusses many fascinating aspects of caring for world-class athletes, including mental health considerations, spirituality and the motivating power of music. Previous articleWCUCOM classes resume following tornado Next articleDO composer’s works featured on 'CSI,' 'House of Lies' and other shows
After creating successful opioid-reduction program, DOs share tips Two DOs reduced opioid use in their ER by 38%. Here’s their advice for others seeking to implement changes in their institutions.
CDC releases guideline for PCPs on prescribing opioids for chronic pain The recommendation urges health care professionals to use non-opioid therapies for chronic pain, ‘start low and go slow’ when prescribing opioids, and monitor patients regularly.
COMs commit to broadening medical education on opioid prescribing AOA partners with AACOM to improve medical student education on proper prescribing.
DOs vs. MDs: Do patient outcomes favor a side? A recent JAMA study explored patient outcomes following surgical procedures provided by DO and MD surgeons.
Olympic water polo team physician shares insights on taking care of elite athletes Team USA physician Naresh Rao, DO, discusses many fascinating aspects of caring for world-class athletes, including mental health considerations, spirituality and the motivating power of music.