In this program, the pathophysiology and characteristics of breakthrough pain will be reviewed as well as ways to assess and identify breakthrough pain when present. The prevalence of breakthrough pain and the negativeimpact in cancer patients will be explored. In addition, the pharmacokineticsof opioids, benefits and limitations of approved treatments for breakthroughpain, and investigational agents will be examined.
The concepts of opioid misuse, abuse, and addiction; ways to minimize risk in patients taking opioids; and strategies to address issues, including the implementation of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) programs, will be discussed. Lastly, ways to improve collaboration with other healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes will be assessed.
Learning Objectives
1. Discuss the benefits and limitations of approved treatments for breakthrough pain and new investigational agents.
2. Describe the concepts of opioid misuse, abuse, and addiction.
3. Evaluate ways to minimize risk in cancer patients taking opioids and strategies to address issues when they arise, including the implementation of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) programs.
4. Explore patient case studies to improve collaboration with other healthcare providers and optimize clinical outcomes for patients who experience breakthrough pain.
Faculty
Perry G. Fine, MD (Moderator)
Larry C. Driver
Steven D. Passik, PhD
This symposium is jointly sponsored by Educational Review Systems and MedXcel, LLC. This session will offer continuing education for physicians, psychologists, nurses, and pharmacists. This symposium is supported by an educational grant from Meda Pharmaceuticals. Participants with any questions regarding continuing education earned through participation in this symposium should contact Steve Glass at sglass@gshp.org.