CRANSTON – A partnership including the R.I. Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, and other health organizations are offering a training course for physicians, dentists and other healthcare workers.
The course, partially funded by the partnership and provided by AAAP, features a screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment approach to managing pain and prescription opioid abuse.
“People with substance use disorders are best served when their overall health is emphasized and evidence-based methods of prevention and treatment are utilized,” said Maria Montanaro, director of BHDDH. “We are very pleased that Dr. Seale accepted our invitation to provide this important medical education course. Physicians and other healthcare professionals play a crucial role in our efforts to
prevent opioid addiction and overdose.”
The designee to become the next director of the Department of Health, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, said that use of medications is having negative effects in the state.
“While pain management is an essential component of patient care, we recognize that the use of prescription medications can lead to abuse and overdose,” said Rhode Island Department of Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH.” The Prescription Monitoring Program is one of the tools [the department] has that can help to ensure that medical professionals are safely prescribing opioids. We are pleased to be collaborating with BHDDH and health care professionals to address the
serious issue of opioid overdose.”
Primary care health professionals may register for the course at
www.cvent.com. The cost is minimal and participants may receive credit for taking the course.
