APhA's Initiating Buprenorphine Certificate Training Program
Activity Preview
APhA’s Initiating Buprenorphine Certificate Training Program is a comprehensive, webinar-based training program is designed to meet the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) training requirements for Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act of 2023. Pharmacists and physicians initiation medications for opioid use disorder will learn about screening, non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic management and communication and addressing barriers related to management of pain and substance use disorders.
Member Enrollment Non-Member Enrollment
Activity Type: Practice-based
Target Audience: Pharmacists
Learning Level: Level 2 – Baseline knowledge on management of substance use disorders is required
Initial Release Date: October 19, 2023
Expiration Date: October 19, 2026
Accreditation Information
The American Pharmacists Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Initiating Buprenorphine – A Certificate Training Program is approved for a total of 8 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education (CPE) credit (0.8 CEUs).
Modules, Learning Objectives and Experts
Module 1: Principles of Proper Pain Management
In order treat patients with substance use disorder effectively, it is critical to have a firm grasp on foundational concepts in pain management such as pain assessment, nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic options, and methods for tapering chronic opioids. This module will review and discuss each of these and discuss how to apply the concepts to a series of patient case scenarios.
Expert: Emily Leppien, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP
Learning objectives
- Identify quantitative and qualitative strategies for comprehensive pain assessment.
- Discuss nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic options for multi-modal pain management.
- Describe appropriate methods to taper chronic opioid therapy as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- Develop an effective treatment plan given a patient case scenario.
Module 2: Screening, brief intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration in SUD
Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce, and prevent problematic use, abuse, and dependence on opioids and other substances. The brief interventions component of SBIRT uses evidence-based practices that motivate individuals to change. These interventions have been used successfully to encourage patients with substance abuse issues to obtain treatment. In this module, you will learn about validated screening tools for substance use disorder(SUD) and best practices for intervention planning and interdisciplinary collaboration along the continuum of SUD.
Expert: Abigail Cotton, MPH, CPH
Learning objectives
- Recall signs and symptoms of SUD.
- Identify validated screening tools for substance use disorder.
- Recognize components of intervention planning along the continuum of SUD.
- Describe best practices in interdisciplinary collaboration for effective treatment of substance use disorder.
Module 3: Pharmacologic Treatment for SUD
This application-based module will review evidence-based treatment options for alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder, as well as considerations for management of polysubstance use. You will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge provided in a patient-case scenario while you devise a plan for treatment of the patient’s OUD.
Expert: Haley Pals, PharmD, BCPP
Learning objectives
- Describe the prevalence and long-term risks of AUD and OUD.
- Review evidence-based treatment options for AUD and OUD.
- Discuss considerations for management of polysubstance use.
- Construct a patient-specific pharmacotherapy plan for OUD.
Module 4: The Intersection of Mental Health Conditions and SUD
Managing substance use disorders in patients who suffer from mental health conditions presents many challenges. Clinical pharmacists play an integral role in these patients receiving the services they need and medications that will be safe and effective. This session features an expert discussing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and potential treatment options.
Expert: Jeffrey Gold, BCPP
Learning objectives
- Recognize the incidence of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
- Outline potential treatments and services for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Module 5: From Bystander to Advocate: Harm Reduction
This module will review evidence-based tools and techniques to improve health outcomes for people at risk for, experiencing, or recovering from substance use disorder (SUD). It is vital to consider various approaches and perspectives when discussing care or providing support. By normalizing crucial conversations and destigmatizing products associated with SUD, we can better advocate for our patients.
Expert: Anita Jacobson
Learning objectives
- Describe the impact of harm reduction efforts.
- Recognize barriers to seeking and receiving tools to promote harm reduction and recovery.
- Practice statements that can be used to express concern for patients with addiction and promote change behavior.
- Discuss strategies to engage patients in care related to substance use disorders.
Module 6: The Self in Shame: Healing the Wounds of Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorder affects millions of people across the United States, yet it remains a highly stigmatized condition. The negative attitudes and beliefs surrounding substance use disorder can be a major barrier to seeking and receiving treatment. But it doesn’t have to be. In this module you will hear from a leading expert on the many types of shame, strategies to prevent unhealthy shame during addiction recovery, and ways in which pharmacists can help patients overcome stigma and feelings of guilt.
Expert: Jake Nichols, PharmD, MBA
Learning objectives
- Distinguish between the following terms: healthy shame, unhealthy shame, guilt and stigma.
- Explain how feelings related to shame can impact the treatment of substance use disorders and recovery process.
- Describe how pharmacists can use the principles of healthy and unhealthy shame in assisting patients who are recovering or struggling with substance use disorders.
Module 7: Addressing SDOH and Disparities in Pain Management
Health disparities are often discussed in patients with diabetes or cardiovascular disease but can easily be overlooked in pain and pain management. When it comes to pain management, racial and ethnic minorities are often given different treatment options for pain. How can we work to acknowledge our implicit biases to give the best patient care possible? This session aims to identify some of the social determinants of health and health disparities that may impact patients with pain and their pain management and provides tools and resources to help address barriers to effective care.
Expert: Laura Palombi, PharmD, MPH, MAT
Learning objectives
- Describe the relationship between social and economic determinants of health, risk for development of chronic pain and risk for inadequate pain management.
- Summarize ways that pharmacists and healthcare providers can reduce bias that contributes to health disparities in pain management.
- Identify available tools and resources for pharmacists to address barriers to effective pain management.
Module 8: Legal Responsibilities in Buprenorphine Prescribing
On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed H.R.2617 - The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) which contains the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act (MAT Act) removing X waiver requirements for prescribing buprenorphine. This module will review legal implications related to prescribing buprenorphine in the post X waiver environment.
SME: Michael Barnes, Esq.
Learning objectives
- Summarize current legislation allowing for pharmacists’ prescriptive authority of controlled substances.
- Identify legal requirements for prescribing buprenorphine.
Obtaining CPE credit
To obtain 8 contact hours of CPE credit (0.8 CEUs) for APhA's Initiating Buprenorphine Certificate Training Program, the learner must successfully complete all components listed above, and CLAIM credit. Learners will need to have a valid APhA (pharmacist.com) username and password, as well as a CPE Monitor account to claim credit. After credit has been claimed, please visit CPE monitor for your transcript. The Certificate of Completion will be available online upon successful completion of the necessary activity requirements on the learner’s My Training page on www.pharmacist.com.
APhA's continuing pharmacy education policy provides you with two opportunities to successfully complete the continuing pharmacy education assessment. Please note that you will not be permitted to submit the assessment a third time. The current policy of the APhA Education Department is not to release the correct answers to any of our CPE tests. This policy is intended to maintain the integrity of the CPE activity and the assessment.
Obtaining CME credit
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Pittsburgh and the American Pharmacists Association. The University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
To receive CME credit please visit http://cce.upmc.com/APHA to complete the post-test, evaluation and receive a certificate of attendance. Please note, new users will be required to create an account.
Acknowledgements
APhA acknowledges The University of Pittsburgh for their collaboration in providing AMA credit.
System Requirements
Computer and Internet access is required to complete this activity. Please visit our website to view the Technology System Requirements to have a positive learning experience.