Pain Core Curriculum Module 12: Keys to Communication Success in Opioid Management-Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Erin Krebs, a General Internal Medicine Physician, discusses effective communication strategies in opioid management, focusing on patient-centered care. Her objectives are to recognize patient perspectives on opioid tapering, identify approaches to managing opioid use while maintaining a positive patient-clinician relationship, and highlight the role of shared decision-making. She presents a case study of a 50-year-old woman with chronic pain, emphasizing patient cooperation in tapering decisions. Dr. Krebs advises assessing both benefits and risks of opioid therapy, considering factors like ineffective pain relief and potential harms such as overdose risks. She highlights patient priorities, noting that while clinicians focus on overdose prevention, patients often prioritize life quality improvements, like emotional well-being and physical activity. Dr. Krebs explains that tapering should be patient-involved, emphasizing empathetic listening and individualized care. Her practical tips include thoroughly assessing pain and function, fostering open communication, and implementing gradual tapering plans. The ultimate goal is to improve patients’ quality of life by reducing opioid dependency, not merely through discontinuation but through holistic care plans.

Keywords

substance use screening

primary care

screening tools

Dr. Jennifer McNeely

American Psychiatric Association

TAPS tool

US Preventive Services Task Force

implementation barriers

referral and treatment

opioid treatment

patient-centered approach

opioid tapering

shared decision-making

chronic pain management

opioid dependence

empathy in healthcare

collaborative process

opioid management

patient-centered care

chronic pain

patient-clinician relationship

quality of life

holistic care