What Does the Palliative Care Specialist Need to Know About Prescription Drug Abuse?”

Purpose: Patients managed by specialists in palliative care may require treatment with drugs that have the potential for abuse. To provide optimal care, palliative care specialists must be able to assess the risk of drug abuse, diagnose drug abuse behaviors, and manage potential or active abuse of both licit and illicit substances.

Objectives:

1. Identify the patterns of drug-related behaviors that may be used to categorize drug abuse, addiction, and other outcomes
2. Describe the process of risk assessment in the medically ill
3. Discuss management techniques for patients with active or potential abuse behaviors

Continuing Education Credits: 1.0- Physician, Social Work, Nursing

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