186946 - Fundamentals Training in Opioid Treatment

The Fundamentals Training in Opioid Treatment course is an online introductory short course to develop knowledge around the operation of the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), and to support the safe prescribing of opioid pharmacotherapies.

This course can also contribute to medical practitioners receiving accreditation as an prescriber of opioid pharmacotherapies with the NSW Ministry of Health.

Opioid dependence has become a major focus within Australia. Over the past two decades there has been an increase in use of pharmaceutical (prescription and over-the-counter) opioids for medical conditions, particularly chronic pain. As a consequence, an increasing number of patients have developed pharmaceutical opioid dependence.

As opioid dependence is a chronic condition, GPs are ideally positioned to deliver interventions, as well as provide continuity of care and coordinate services across multiple health providers.

D1. Communication skills and the patient-doctor relationship

• Effective communication is used in challenging situations

D2. Applied professional knowledge and skills

• The conduct of the consultation is appropriate to the needs of the patient and the sociocultural context

D3. Population health and the context of general practice

• The health needs of individuals are balanced with the health needs of the community through effective utilisation of resources

D4. Professional and ethical role

• Adherence to relevant codes and standards of ethical and professional behaviour

D5. Organisational and legal dimensions

• Patient confidentiality is managed appropriately

• Adult health
• Addiction medicine

NSW Ministry of Health; New South Wales Users and AIDS Association (NUAA)

NSW Ministry of Health