Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe important changes in Federal legislation that permits office-based treatment of opioid addiction using buprenorphine.
  
  
• Understand and describe ways in which buprenorphine has been shown to be a safe and effective medication used to treat opioid addiction.
  
  
• Conduct assessments to determine if a patient is opioid addicted, suitable for buprenorphine treatment, and if the office is the optimal site for treatment. Help patients who want to stop using buprenorphine by conducting readiness to discontinue evaluations, using the Tapering Readiness Inventory.
  
  
• Understand Federal confidentiality regulations that protect the confidentiality of patients receiving treatment, and understand HIPAA regulations that specify protections for personal health information.
  
  
• Teach patients to work with and not against pharmacotherapy, use tools designed to enhance patients' motivation for change, and conduct biopsychosocial needs assessments.
  
  
• Dispel myths about buprenorphine and provide accurate information about the use of buprenorphine for opioid-addiction treatment. Educate patients about the official position of the 12-Step programs regarding the use of prescribed medication, describe the benefits of the 12-Step programs, and promote the use of these self-help programs.
  
  
• Manage problematic patient problems, including manipulation, blurring of boundaries, threats to safety and security, intoxication, loitering, and drug dealing.