Course Information

Introduction to Safe Prescribing: Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Stimulants

Introduction to Safe Prescribing: Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Stimulants

Canada is in the midst of an opioid crisis and this crisis has been recognized at all levels of government and has been the subject of several recent editorials in the Canadian medical press. There are calls to improve awareness among prescribers about the crisis and to improve their knowledge of prescribing opioids. By extension, it is also important to consider the prescribing of stimulant and sedative – hypnotic medications (benzodiazepine) medications. These medications are also potentially addictive and have serious side effects and complications associated with them. Additionally, prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids in combination may place the patient at significant risk.

It is therefore crucial that we begin learning the basics of prescribing these medications early in our career. Knowledge of safe and effective prescribing is important in all specialties to keep our patients and ourselves safe.

After completing this course, you will be able to: 

  1. Recognize the indications for and goals of prescribing opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants.
  2. Define how to set boundaries to ensure safe prescribing of opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants.
  3. Identify the prescriber and patient risks inherent in prescribing opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants.
  4. Outline the key features of an opioid, benzodiazepine or stimulant trial
  5. List the aberrant behaviours that may be associated with prescribing opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants.

This continuing professional development (CPD) program has been designed to consider the following roles as defined by the CanMEDS Physician Competency Framework:

  • Family Medicine/Medical Expert
  • Communicator
  • Collaborator


Registration Fee

The cost to register for this module is $150.00 CDN.

Once you click the Register button, you will be taken to Moneris - Canada's leading processor of debit and credit card payments - to process your registration fee. Upon payment of the registration fee, you will be returned to this site and will have immediate access to your learning module.

Course Registration

Introduction to Safe Prescribing: Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Stimulants

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Credits

    (up to) 2 credit hours

Expiry Date

This course expires on
Friday, December 1, 2023

Accreditation

Mainpro+ Self-Learning
This one-credit-per-hour Self-Learning program meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by the Office of Professional & Educational Development, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University for up to 2 Mainpro+® credits.

Maintenance of Certification (Section 3 - Self Assessment)
This activity is an Accredited Self-Assessment Program (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by the Office of Professional & Educational Development, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University. You may claim a maximum of 2 hours (credits are automatically calculated).


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