May 2006 E-Newsletter

ASPI Annual Meeting Offers Networking Opportunities

Rx Monitoring Programs Ineffective in Curbing Drug Abuse

Virginia CPI Offers End-of-Life DVD/Video

Survey of WI Physicians Shows Lack of Knowledge About Opioids

End-of-Life Workshop for Social Workers

ASPI ANNUAL MEETING OFFERS NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Register now for the ASPI national meeting in Phoenix, AZ, June 15-17, and connect with representatives of leading health organizations, such as the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the American Pain Foundation, the American Society for Pain Management Nursing, the Association of Oncology Social Workers, the ASPI’s State Pain Initiatives, Cancer Centers, and the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. Join this one of kind interdisciplinary gathering and you’ll come away armed with new approaches and a renewed vigor to tackle the barriers that impede the effective relief of pain. Information about the meeting is available on the ASPI’s website at www.ASPI.wisc.edu

RX MONITORING PROGRAMS INEFFECTIVE IN CURBING DRUG ABUSE

Robert Twillman, PhD, immediate past-chair of the ASPI’s Advisory Council, head of the Kansas Pain Initiative, and program director of pain management at the University of Kansas Hospital, recently studied the effects of prescription monitoring programs (PMPs) on retail drug distribution patterns and measures of substance abuse. Twenty-two states currently have a system that tracks the prescribing of controlled substances.

Dr. Twillman presented his findings at the annual meeting of the American Pain Society earlier this month.
His evaluation indicates that:
1) states with PMPs, compared to those without PMPs, report less prescribing of most C-II opioids, especially morphine and oxycodone, while they report significantly greater prescribing of C-III opioids; and
2) states with PMPs do not report lower rates of abuse of prescription opioids, but in fact, actually report higher rates on one measure of such abuse.

When dividing states according to the type of PMP, those with PMPs that monitor both C-II and C-III opioids do not differ significantly from states with no PMPs in prescribing of any opioid except hydrocodone (with PMP states prescribing 68% more hydrocodone than states without PMPs). The pattern of findings with respect to drug abuse holds for
these states. States that monitor only C-II opioids report significantly less prescribing of morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone, compared to states that monitor both C-II and C-III opioids.

This study suggests that PMPs are not effective in reducing drug abuse (and by extension, probably not effective in reducing drug diversion), and depending on the schedules monitored by the PMP, may result in downscheduling of medications prescribed to patients and in a sharp increase in prescribing of hydrocodone (which is the most commonly abused prescription opioid). You can view Dr. Twillman’s presentation on the ASPI website at http://ASPI.wisc.edu/policy.htm

VIRGINIA CPI OFFERS END-OF-LIFE DVD / VIDEO

The Virginia Cancer Pain Initiative in association with the Virginia Association for Hospices announces the availability of the DVD/video“Making Difficult Decisions: An End of Life Discussion”. The video promotes discussion among professionals and the public about barriers to good end of life care, advance planning, hospice and palliative care options and choices in the final transition. An accompanying Viewer’s Guide with discussion questions and related resources makes this an excellent educational resource for patients, family members, and health care professionals. For more information or to order your copy ($10.00 plus shipping), contact Laura Pole at Lpchef@earthlink.net

SURVEY OF WI PHYSICIANS SHOWS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OPIOIDS

A survey to assess Wisconsin physicians’ knowledge and attitudes toward opioid analgesic use shows that only one-half of those surveyed believed it lawful and acceptable medical practice to prescribe opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. They also had poor knowledge of controlled substance regulations, and a majority were confused about the meaning of addiction. Read an abstract of the survey results on the ASPI’s website at www.ASPI.wisc.edu

END-OF-LIFE WORKSHOP FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

The Social Work End-of-Life Education Project will sponsor a two-day workshop in Rochester, New York on August 1 & 2, 2006. Key content includes: the social work role and values specific to palliative and end-of-life care; biopsychosocial spiritual assessment; ethical issues; multidimensional aspects of pain and symptom management; therapeutic interventions, including cognitive behavioral interventions; cultural awareness; self care; compassion fatigue; secondary trauma; grief and bereavement. Faculty includes Mary Raymer, LMSW, ACSW, Raymer Psychotherapy and Consultation Services, MI; Terry Altilio, LCSW, Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care, Beth Israel Medical Center, NY; Amanda L. Sutton, CSW, Private Practitioner & Consultant, Naples, FL. Registration cost is $300, and CEU’s are available.

A registration form is available for download at www.stoppain.org and the deadline is July 18, 2006. This program is cosponsored by the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State, Beth Israel Medical Center and supported by unrestricted educational grants from the American Cancer Society and Cephalon, Inc. For additional information, contact Terry Altilio, LCSW at 212-844-1467

top