184054 - Theory - Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependency Prescriber Training Course - South Australia

This training is specific to South Australian MATOD prescribing requirements. This activity covers theoretical information on opioid dependence treatment with methadone and buprenorphine. This will provide GPs with the knowledge to effectively manage patients with opioid drug dependencies and enable GPs to identify and assess patients, stabilise withdrawal and maintain support, while also ensuring that best practice and quality procedures are demonstrated. Upon completion of the online module, you will qualify for 40 Category 1 QI & CPD points.
All registered medical practitioners in South Australia can apply for an authority from DDU to prescribe buprenorphine/naloxone for up to 10 patients for opioid dependence. Completion of the MATOD Prescriber Training Course (combination of course 144082 and 138339 - Skill development with DASSA) is required to apply to be an authorised prescriber of methadone and buprenorphine for opioid dependence in South Australia.

Relevance to General Practice

Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) reduces the demand for opioid drugs and associated harms by normalizing patients' lives and preventing drug use and crime. The shortage of GPs available to prescribe to patients who wish to enter the private opioid substitution program is one of the major limiting factors to the number of places available. Patients are prevented from entering programs or from changing from public to private programs due to the limited number of places. In September 2017 there were only two metropolitan GPs who indicated that they would accept new referrals (DASSA communication September 2017) and some regional areas of South Australia have no accredited prescribers. The online training course covers all areas necessary for the GP to apply to the Opioid Dependence Prescriber Review Committee for accreditation, once the GP has completed their clinical attachment with DASSA.

Learning outcomes

Engage patients in a respectful and non-judgemental manner whilst identifying the importance of and limits to patient confidentiality.

Conduct a comprehensive assessment that includes a patient’s substance use related diagnoses and any medical, psychiatric or social problem.

Establish the suitability of a range of treatment options, and in conjunction with the patient, plan ongoing management.

Safely commence opioid pharmacotherapy and safely manage transfer between various pharmacotherapy treatments.

Develop systems within their practice to ensure risks associated with providing MATOD are minimised including that DDU regulations are followed.

Domains of General Practice

D1. Communication skills and the patient-doctor relationship

D2. Applied professional knowledge and skills

D3. Population health and the context of general practice

D4. Professional and ethical role

D5. Organisational and legal dimensions

Curriculum Contextual Units

Addiction medicine

Partnering organisations

Drug & Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA)