The Rhode Island Medical Society and state health officials are partnering with the American Medical Association on a new effort to train doctors who prescribe addictive opioid medications. The groups will develop a toolbox full of resources for prescribers.
Dr. Patrice Harris, chair of the board of the American Medical Association, says doctors and nurses want to curb the epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose. But they often lack the resources and knowledge to act.
“Based on a survey we commissioned at the AMA physicians are very interested, number one, in leading on this issue, in dealing with this issue, in enhancing their education. They want tools available. But they want tools that are specific to their specialty, their patient population, and their practice.”
The AMA has chosen Rhode Island and Alabama as pilot states for a program that would give those tools to medical providers. The kits will be disseminated this fall. The hope is they’ll use the data, resources, and training to reduce unnecessary prescriptions and get help for people who are addicted.
