A Team-Based Approach to Improving Opioid Management in Primary Care for Vulnerable Populations

Prescription opioid use and misuse have reached a crisis level in the U.S., with roughly 58 opioid prescriptions for every 100 residents in 2017 and more than 46 people dying daily from overdoses involving prescription opioids. (Source: Centers for Disease Control Opioid Prescribing Rate Maps). Although treatment plans and improved support options for managing opioid medications for individuals with chronic pain are being developed, implementing these evidence-based strategies in real world primary care settings can be challenging. Community and healthcare centers that treat patients who use opioids long-term for their chronic pain struggle with this issue and need tools and structured guidance in order to make meaningful change. This session will introduce the Six Building Blocks program which provides an evidence-based quality improvement roadmap to help primary care teams implement effective, guideline-driven care for their chronic pain and long-term opioid therapy patients. The session will discuss lessons learned during the implementation of this program and address key elements needed to transform systems of care. Faculty will also discuss upcoming opportunities for more in depth training and resource development designed to address pain management and opioid misuse in the primary care setting.