This is an online learning activity that is designed to assist GPs manage patients with chronic pain, that were previously self-managing their pain with OTC codeine.
This activity gives insights into the attitudes and beliefs of these patients in order to assist GP’s effectively communicate with these patients as well as to support the appropriate management of their chronic pain. This activity examines a case where the misuse of codeine is suspected and how to manage this situation.
It also demonstrates how to apply universal precautions to the prescribing of opioid analgesics for chronic pain.
Chronic pain is a common condition managed by GPs with 20% of the adult population having a chronic pain condition.
Codeine is the most commonly used opioid analgesic. Despite its previous scheduling, codeine use is associated with adverse outcomes including addiction and deaths due to overdose.
With the rescheduling of codeine to prescription only in 2018, many patients who previously self-managed their chronic pain will be presenting to their GPs for assistance.
This activity will assist GPs manage patients with chronic pain who could benefit from adopting a multimodal management plan as well as those who may be misusing or abusing codeine.
