Presenter(s): Megan Filoramo, MSN, APN-C, Pain Management NP, Educator and Nurse Coach, NJ Pain Consultants/Altair Health 

Target Audience: This activity is designed for nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, physical therapists, and psychologists. 

Webinar Description: Compassionate weaning of opioids should include both pharmacological and emotional support. There are options for both slow tapers and abrupt cessation and selection should be based on individualized patient needs and on a shared decision making model. This process should include not only a clear outline of the treatment plan but also alternative treatments for the pain, appropriate pharmacologic treatment of withdrawal symptoms, frequent patient re-evaluation and revision of the plan as needed. To adequately support the patient through this process, it is critical that the patients understand the weaning does not equate abandonment by their clinical team. Opioid tapering does not need to contribute to patient suffering. 

Educational Objectives:

• Identify 3 pharmacologic approaches to weaning opioids
• Describe what a shared decision making model looks like in the setting of opioid weaning
• List 3 components of emotional support necessary for patient success with weaning

Support for the Program:
Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI081968 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.