Canadian physicians and medical regulators recognized a growing need for guidance regarding opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain. In late 2007, under the umbrella of the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada, provincial and territorial medical regulatory authorities formed the collaborative National Opioid Use Guideline Group (NOUGG) to oversee development of a clinical practice guideline:  the Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain.

This teaching module explores each of the five clusters of the Canadian Guideline, highlighting treatment recommendations through case presentations and summaries, and includes many useful tools to help manage, assess, and monitor patients using opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain.

To better understand and be able to implement the recommendations in the Canadian Guideline for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain, after completing this module the learner will be able to:

• Identify patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) who may benefit from a trial of opioid therapy.
• Discuss the decision process involved when considering a trial of opioid therapy.
• Describe the potential risks associated with opioids such as side effects, long term medical complications and addiction.
• Describe what a trial of opioid therapy involves.
• List appropriate documentation for the prescribing and monitoring of opioid therapy and the tools that can be used for monitoring efficacy and safety of opioids.
• Cite examples of when opioids should be rotated, tapered or stopped.
• Discuss the appropriate use of opioids in specific higher-risk populations.
• Identify resources available to help you and your patients manage their CNCP.

This program was jointly developed by the following organizations:

Funds in support of this CPD activity were provided as an educational grant to Memorial University and independently allocated and disbursed in accordance with current CMA guidelines.

Funds in support of this program were provided by: Canadian Medical Association, Hamilton Anesthesia Associates, Eli Lilly, and Purdue Pharma.