Louisiana physicians have the opportunity to become buprenorphine-waivered to treat Opioid-Use Disorder (OUD) through a free, online educational course offered on Nov. 8, 2019, by Louisiana Healthcare Connections. The course, conducted by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), supports Louisiana Healthcare Connections’ efforts to increase the state’s number of buprenorphine-waivered clinicians.
Buprenorphine is the first at-home therapy to treat OUD and offers great potential for expanding treatment, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. It also has been proven to be a clinically effective therapy for OUD in populations, including pregnant women.
“Louisiana has one of the highest opioid overdose rates in the nation, and the number of new and refilled opioid prescriptions in our state far exceeds the national average. Because of this, our state has focused on ensuring that physicians have the training and education they need to appropriately treat opioid dependency,” says Stewart Gordon, MD, Louisiana Healthcare Connections Chief Medical Officer. “Buprenorphine has been identified as a clinically-effective, in-home therapy for opioid use disorder, and we are pleased to help connect physicians in our state to the training they need to become waivered for this therapy.”
Physicians will receive four hours of online training at their own pace and four hours of live, interactive training. The live training may be attended remotely by streaming it to a device, on Nov. 8. This course will also feature curriculum designed for women’s health providers in partnership with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Please note: This marks the last date in 2019 that the training will be available. Physicians who complete the training will receive Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, a copy of the ASAM National Practice Guidelines, a reference guide, and other clinical resources. There is no cost to participate in the training. For more information about the course or to register to attend, physicians may visit www.LouisianaHealthConnect.com/ASAMtraining.