Opioid Resources

Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (EMPA) are in the front line with the providers who are fighting the battle against the opioid epidemic. While the issues surrounding the opioid epidemic and opioid use disorder are complex, research is ongoing and early strategies to mitigate the effects of the epidemic are encouraging.

Here are a number of resources to educate and help EMPAs with their practice management strategies.

Opioid Overdose This link contains up-to-date information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the opioid epidemic with publications, information for patients and providers, and links to state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs among other resources.

E-QUAL Network Opioid Initiative is an American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) initiative to reduce opioid-associated harm through safer prescribing and the implementation of evidenced based practices.

Opioid Response Network The State Targeted Response Technical Assistance Consortium (STR-TA), a grant funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), was created to provide education and training at a local level to provide evidence-based practices in the prevention, treatment and recovery of opioid use disorders.

NIDA Resources: Initiating Buprenorphine Treatment in the Emergency Department  Information from the National Institute on Drug Abuse regarding the evidence for emergency medicine provider initiated medication assisted treatment (MAT) of opioid use disorder.

MAT Waiver Training for PAs.

Myths and Misconceptions of Medication Assisted Treatment

Decreasing stigma involving addition begins with the medical profession

Addiction medicine specialists have recognized that stigma surrounding opioid use disorder is prevalent and that decreasing the stigma must begin with those providing the care for these patients.

Anti-Stigma Toolkit: Guide to Reducing Addiction-Related Stigma

Changing the Narrative