Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Podcast

The WSMA Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Podcast is for physicians, physician assistants, and health professionals, and supports the goals of the Better Prescribing, Better Treatment safe-prescribing program. Creation of the WSMA Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Podcast is made possible through funding from the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Washington State Department of Health.

About the Podcast

The WSMA Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Podcast addresses the gaps in practice that exist between the current state of prescribing and the best practices surrounding opioid and controlled substance prescriptions. The risks of both short- and long-term administration of opioids in combination with and separately from sedative medications impose risks that cross specialties and systems.

Over the course of the 14-episode series, you’ll hear from leaders on an array of topics about how we reduce the dependence on opioids for pain management where appropriate, help those suffering with chronic conditions safely, and help those with addiction.

A sole production of the WSMA, the podcast supports the goals of the Better Prescribing, Better Treatment safe-prescribing program, a joint initiative of the WSMA and the Washington State Hospital Association that aims to reduce the burden of opioid overdose in the individual’s practice and surrounding communities.

The 14-episode podcast is available to all physicians and health professionals either as audio or audio and video. Episodes will be posted approximately every two weeks through the summer months.

About the Host

Each podcast episode is hosted by Nathan Schlicher, MD, JD, FACEP, the physician lead for the Better Prescribing, Better Treatment safe-prescribing program.

Podcast Objectives

• Increase safe opioid prescribing practices in line with House Bill 1427.
• Have strategies to tailor opioid management services to prescribers specialty and organization using evidence-based practices on appropriate prescribing and data-driven practices.
• Help reduce the development of tolerance to opioids.
• Address long-term pain management and appropriately treat opioid addiction.

Episode Guide

Episode 1: The Future of the Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Program at WSMA

Episode 2: The History of Opioid Prescribing Legislation

Episode 3: Prescribing Opioids in a Rural Setting

Episode 4: Opioids in Obstetrics

Episode 5: Opioids in Pediatrics

Episode 6: Opioids in Hospice

Episode 7: Opioids in Family Medicine

Episode 8: Opioids in Cancer-Related Pain

Episode 9: Opioids and the Bridge Program

Episode 1: The Future of the Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Program at WSMA

In this episode, Dr. Schlicher is joined by WSMA Program Manager Monica Salgaonkar, MHA, CPHQ, and WSMA Director of IT Troy Brown to discuss the new areas of development in the Better Prescribing, Better Treatment program at the WSMA.

Learning objectives:

• Recall the history and background of Better Prescribing, Better Treatment.
• Describe the areas of expansion of Better Prescribing, Better Treatment.
• Using data components, determine how the data may be used to drive improvement.
• Get more involved in Better Prescribing, Better Treatment and know who to contact for questions or coaching.

Release date: May 23, 2023

Expiration date: May 22, 2026

Audio-only file

Listen to audio for Episode 1 - The Future of the Better Prescribing, Better Treatment Program At WSMA

Resources

Future of Better Prescribing, Better Treatment slides

Better Prescribing, Better Treatment (wsma.org)

Opioid Prescribing Reports - Washington State Hospital Association (wsha.org)

Opioid Prescribing | Washington State Department of Health

Opioids | Washington State Health Care Authority

Claim CME credit

To claim CME credit, watch or listen to the podcast, then complete the evaluation below. Once the evaluation is completed, it will be forwarded to the CME and MOC credit claim. To claim MOC, you must earn 100% on the quiz component.

Evaluation and credit claim

Episode 2: The History of Opioid Prescribing Legislation

In this episode, Dr. Schlicher sits down with WSMA Policy Director Jeb Shepard to discuss the history of opioid prescribing in the state, the origins of Better Prescribing, Better Treatment, and its overall impact on prescribing.

Learning objectives

• Summarize the history and background of opioid prescribing legislation over the years.
• List the stakeholders involved in addressing the opioid use public health crisis in Washington state.
• Understand the effects of House Bill 1427 and Senate Bill 5380 on opioid prescribing in Washington state and have strategies to comply with them.
• Get engaged in Olympia and testify on rules and regulation of important medical issues.

Release date: June 8, 2023

Expiration date: June 7, 2026

Audio-only file

Listen to audio for Episode 2 - The History of Opioid Prescribing Legislation

Resources

History of Opioid Prescribing Legislation slides

Claim CME credit

To claim CME credit, watch or listen to the podcast, then complete the evaluation below. Once the evaluation is completed, it will be forwarded to the CME and MOC credit claim. To claim MOC, you must earn 100% on the quiz component.

Evaluation and credit claim

Episode 3: Prescribing Opioids in a Rural Setting

In this episode, Dr. Schlicher talks with Barry Bacon, MD, a family medicine physician in Colville, about chronic prescribing, co-prescribing, and treatment in the rural environment.

Learning objectives

• Summarize barriers to opioid prescribing in rural Washington.
• Detail the current challenges for incarcerated patients in accessing sober and clean housing.
• Describe the vicious cycles incarcerated patients experience when dealing with opioid use disorder.
• Identify the unintended consequences of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s opioid prescribing guidelines on rural communities from 2016 to 2023.
• Find ways to be part of the solution to the opioid epidemic in rural areas.

Release date: June 23, 2023

Expiration date: June 22, 2026

Audio-only file

Listen to audio for Episode 3 - Prescribing Opioids in a Rural Setting

Resources

Opioids in Rural Settings slide deck

CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain — United States, 2022 | MMWR

Claim CME credit

To claim CME credit, watch or listen to the podcast, then complete the evaluation below. Once the evaluation is completed, it will be forwarded to the CME and MOC credit claim. To claim MOC, you must earn 100% on the quiz component.

Evaluation and credit claim

Episode 4: Opioids in Obstetrics

In this episode, Dr. Schlicher talks with Nariman Heshmati, MD, MHA, FACOG, senior regional medical director at Optum Washington and WSMA president-elect.

Learning objectives

• Analyze opioid use considerations pre-, during, and post-pregnancy.
• Determine appropriate non-opioid options to manage pain in pregnant patients.
• Recognize the effects of opioids on birthing parents and their babies.

Release date: July 7, 2023

Expiration date: July 6, 2026

Audio-only file

Listen to audio for Episode 4 - Opioids in Obstetrics

Resources

Opioids in Obstetrics slide deck

Multimodal Approach for Postpartum Pain Management

CDC Opioid Use During Pregnancy Guidelines

Claim CME Credit

To claim CME credit, watch or listen to the podcast, then complete the evaluation below. Once the evaluation is completed, it will be forwarded to the CME and MOC credit claim. To claim MOC, you must earn 100% on the quiz component.

Evaluation and credit claim

Episode 5: Opioids in Pediatrics

In this episode, Dr. Schlicher talks with Daniel Low, MD, an anesthesiologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the chief medical officer for Adaptx, an AI-driven clinical management solution that empowers clinical leaders to improve and manage care across patients by leveraging their own real-world EMR data.

Learning objectives

• Understand Seattle Children’s journey to scale opioid-free anesthesia in surgery.
• State the risk of developing persistent opioid use in pediatrics following surgery.
• Implement ways to reduce intraoperative AND postoperative opioid use for pediatric surgery.
• Set up PDSA cycles to measure and manage opioid use effectively in their system.

Release date: July 21, 2023

Expiration date: July 20, 2026

Audio-only file

Listen to audio for Episode 5 - Opioids in Pediatrics

Resources

Opioids in Pediatrics slide deck

Outcomes for 41,260 pediatric surgical patients with opioid-free anesthesia: One center’s experience

Claim CME credit

To claim CME credit, watch or listen to the podcast, then complete the evaluation below. Once the evaluation is completed, it will be forwarded to the CME and MOC credit claim. To claim MOC, you must earn 100% on the quiz component.

Evaluation and credit claim

Episode 6: Opioids in Hospice

In this episode, Dr. Schlicher talks with Tom Schaaf, MD, chief medical officer of Providence Home and Community Care and past president of the WSMA.

Learning objectives

• Define "hospice" and how health care professionals can meet the patient where they are.
• Differentiate the old versus new comfort kits and how they should be utilized.
• Understand the different members of the health care team involved in caring for hospice patients.
• Have a strategy to educate patients' families on proper disposal of medication.

Release date: Aug. 4, 2023

Expiration date: Aug. 3, 2026

Audio-only file

Listen to audio for Episode 6 - Opioids in Hospice

Resources

Opioids in Hospice slide deck

Drug Disposal: FDA’s Flush List for Certain Medicines

Claim CME credit

To claim CME credit, watch or listen to the podcast, then complete the evaluation below. Once the evaluation is completed, it will be forwarded to the CME and MOC credit claim. To claim MOC, you must earn 100% on the quiz component.

Evaluation and credit claim

Episode 7: Opioids in Family Medicine

In this episode, Dr. Schlicher talks with Katina Rue, DO, FAAFP, FACOFP, WSMA's 2022-2023 president and program director for Trios Health Family Medicine Residency; and Audriana Mooth, DO, a second-year family medicine resident in East Pierce County.

Learning objectives

• Summarize the generational shift in opioid prescribing experienced by seasoned and new-to-practice family physicians.
• Make the case that family medicine includes acute and chronic pain management to physician peers and other clinicians.
• Formulate how to manage handoffs of chronic pain management.
• Have a strategy to integrate treating or screening for opioid use disorder into primary care.

Release date: Aug. 18, 2023

Expiration date: Aug. 17, 2026

Audio-only file

Listen to audio for Episode 7 - Opioids in Family Medicine

Resources

Opioids in Family Medicine slide deck

Risk Factors Associated with Transition from Acute to Chronic Low Back Pain in US Patients Seeking Primary Care

Claim CME credit

To claim CME credit, watch or listen to the podcast, then complete the evaluation below. Once the evaluation is completed, it will be forwarded to the CME and MOC credit claim. To claim MOC, you must earn 100% on the quiz component.

Evaluation and credit claim

Episode 8: Opioids in Cancer-Related Pain

Dr. Schlicher chats with Camille Puronen, MD, a hematologist/oncologist at Kaiser Permanente Washington and a member of the WSMA board of trustees, and Ran Huo, MD, a palliative care physician at Kaiser Permanente. They discuss the close connection between oncology and palliative care when caring for patients with oncology pain.

Learning objectives

• Describe the partnership between oncology and palliative care in treating cancer-related pain.
• Understand the long-term impacts of opioids on oncology patients.
• Counsel patients and families on safe disposal of pain medications.
• Understand the patient’s goals before prescribing opioids.

Release date: Sept. 1, 2023

Expiration date: Aug. 31, 2026

Audio only file

Listen to audio for Episode 8 - Opioids in Cancer-Related Pain

Resources

Opioids in Cancer-Related Pain slide deck

Claim CME credit

To claim CME credit, watch or listen to the podcast, then complete the evaluation below. Once the evaluation is completed, it will be forwarded to the CME and MOC credit claim. To claim MOC, you must earn 100% on the quiz component.

Evaluation and credit claim

Episode 9: Opioids and the Bridge Program

Dr. Schlicher chats with Liz Wolkin, MS, RN, NPD-BC, CEN, program administrator of the Washington State Health Care Authority’s Emergency Department Support, Clinical Quality and Care Transformation program, about the new state Bridge Program.

Learning objectives

• Understand the components and resources of the new WA state bridge program.
• Assist patients with access to MOUD.
• Counsel patients about the effects of MOUD.
• Utilize harm reduction strategies in patient care.
• Outline the benefits of syringe services programs.

Release date: September 15, 2023

Expiration date: September 14, 2026

Audio-only file

Listen to audio for Episode 9 - Opioids and the Bridge Program

Resources

Opioids and the Bridge Program slide deck

Bridge Program One-Pager

Claim CME Credit

To claim CME credit, watch or listen to the podcast, then complete the evaluation below. Once the evaluation is completed, it will be forwarded to the CME & MOC credit claim. To claim MOC, you must earn 100% on the quiz component.

Evaluation & Credit claim