Summary: Key Themes Included across Curriculum and Framework Examples
Competencies comprise the foundational knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary for safe and effective opioid prescribing, pain management, and prevention of SUD. Competencies support an evidence-based, biopsychosocial, multidisciplinary approach to pain management and addiction care. Competencies acknowledge the social determinants of health and their role in pain/addiction and treatment outcomes. Competencies recognize pain and addiction as chronic diseases that require interprofessional team-based care. Competencies emphasize the patient-provider alliance as a critical component of screening, assessment, treatment planning, and recovery management (a “patient-centered” approach). Competencies encourage clinicians to acknowledge self/societal biases and reduce stigmas associated with pain and addiction diseases.
Summary: Common Gaps across Existing Framework Examples
Proper documentation Health literacy, patient privacy, and consent Discussing patient expectations and treatment goals and milestones Measuring the relevant impact pain/SUD has on daily functioning, quality of life, and interpersonal relationships Understanding intersections between pain, SUD, mental/behavioral health, and their mutual effect on therapeutic outcomes Educating patients/families and communication strategies Educating patients/families on long-term consequences from chronic opioid use, signs of accidental overdose, protocol for suspected overdose Educating patients/families on proper storage and disposal of opioids, family/community risks of improper storage/exposure Ability to differentiate and recognize varying degrees of pain and SUD Ethical practice and mediation strategies Aspects of professional development; lifelong learning and mandatory continuing education Recognizing negative biases and attitudes Knowledge of pain/SUD and impact on public health Insurance coverage and financial barriers Limited resources, data inoperability Effective intervention and mediation strategies Transitioning care