The North Carolina Medical Board (NCMB) and the Wake Area Health Education Center (AHEC) are collaborating on a new webinar and panel discussion series on controlled substances prescribing, with an emphasis on treating pain.
The June 5th dinner and panel discussion featured our very own Lynn Bowlby, MD, GIM Associate Professor of Medicine. During the panel, the group:
- discussed best practices for prescribing controlled substances
- identified strategies for recognizing signs of misuse and abuse of prescription opioids
- promoted best practices for managing chronic pain
- described strategies for communicating with patients about avoiding or reducing prescription opioids
This program was designed to allow NCMB licensees the opportunity to fully satisfy the new CME requirement for controlled substance prescribers. Effective July 1, 2018, physicians who prescribe controlled substances are required to earn three hours of CME credit on prescribing controlled substances during each three-year CME cycle. Physician assistants who prescribe are required to earn two hours of credit during each two-year cycle.