Program Introduction

Purpose
Millions of people suffer chronic pain on a daily basis. In some cases it is the result of a very painful, but ultimately curable disease, like many forms of cancer. In other cases the cause is chronic and incurable—like arthritis and headache—and will require treatment for life. Treating chronic pain requires careful consideration and oversight because the patient’s physical condition can change, comorbidities can develop, or be eliminated. Medication can become ineffective—these are just a few of the difficulties inherent in treating chronic pain. It is therefore important that physicians be provided with education that will enable them to access the most up-to-date treatment and avoid the pitfalls in order to provide the best care for all patients.

Target Audience
Physicians in the United States.

Objectives
At the conclusion of the program the participants will be able to:

1. Identify the leading causes for chronic pain.
2. Recognize the treatment options available for treating chronic pain.
3. Recognize the importance of patient education in the life-long treatment of chronic pain.
4. Implement procedures for improving the quality of care for patients with chronic pain.

Goal
The participating physicians will practice more effective management of chronic pain leading to safer, more effective patient care.

Program Description
Each Managing Chronic Pain program includes:

• 92-page monograph
• AMA PRA category 1 CME Test & Evaluation Form

Monograph Contents

• Table Of Contents
• Section I. Chronic Pain Overview
• Section II. Managing the Pain of Cancer
• Section III. Managing the Pain of Arthritis and Chronic Joint Symptoms (CJS)
• Section IV. Managing the Pain of Headache
• Appendixes
• Endnotes
• CME Test Questions
• CME Answer Sheet
• CME Evaluation Form

Implementation
The estimated time for completion of this program is four (4) hours. We recommend a four-step process.

1. Read the monograph and test questions carefully.
2. Discuss the techniques and information covered with your staff or colleagues.
3. Return to the monograph for a review of the content and your test answers.
4. Complete the CME answer sheet and evaluation form, detach and return to TIV.

Program Faculty

Aris Sophocles, MD, JD, Practicing Physician; Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; and attorney

Joyce Rouse, Creative Director, TIV, Inc.

Jennifer Lear, Writer, TIV, Inc.

Program Planning Committee

Margie Miller, Director of Continuing Medical Education, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine

Aris Sophocles, MD, JD, Practicing Physician; Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; and attorney

William Oakey, President, TIV, Inc. Joyce Rouse, Creative Director, TIV, Inc.

Joyce Rouse, Creative Director, TIV, Inc.

Disclosure Policy
It is the policy of The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. All faculty participating in these programs are expected to disclose to the program audiences any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentation.

Faculty and Planning Committee Disclosures

Aris Sophocles, MD, JD, Faculty and Planning Committee Member has no significant financial relationships to disclose

Margie Miller, Planning Committee Member has no significant financial relationships to disclose

William Oakey, Planning Committee Member has no significant financial relationships to disclose

Joyce Rouse, Faculty and Planning Committee Member has no significant financial relationships to disclose

Jennifer Lear, Faculty Member has no significant financial relationships to disclose

Accreditation and Credits
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and TIV, Inc. The University of Oklahoma is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine designates this activity for a maximum of four (4) AMA PRA category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts AMA PRA category 1 credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

This program is eligible for application for four (4) CME credits under category 2-B of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) program.

How to Obtain Continuing Medical Education Credits
A certificate of completion will be awarded to physicians completing the program with a score of 70% or higher. In order to receive your continuing medical education credits, the answer sheet and evaluation form located in the back of this monograph must be filled out completely and sent to TIV, Inc. via one of the following methods:

Via mail or fax you will receive a certificate of completion within 7-10 days after receipt of your test and evaluation form; and, in the event you fail, you will be notified regarding a retake examination on the same concepts. Via Internet you can print your certificate immediately upon passing the examination. If you do not pass, you will be able to immediately retake the test and resubmit your answer sheet and evaluation form.

Rush Processing
Rush processing is available and requires an additional $25 processing fee. You must fax your test and evaluation form to TIV, Inc. at 866-965-8999, and include your credit card information on the form. Your request will be processed and a certificate will be faxed to you within two business days after receipt of your test, pending pass/fail results. Mail requests do not qualify for rush processing.

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