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Review: Use of Peer Support in Emergency Depts Shows Promise
The National Council for Behavioral Health, with funding from a PCSS mini-grant, conducted a qualitative assessment of emergency departments (ED) and the use of peer support in EDs to understand the placement, role, and promising practices of peer support workers in ED settings. Peer support staff and ED staff work together to assist patients who have been revived from an opioid overdose. The assessment includes several case examples. PCSS mini-grants are periodically awarded to steering committee members. View PCSS mini-grants .
PCSS Webinar: Telepsychiatry’s Role in Medication Assisted Treatment
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm ET
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019
Presenter: Hector Colon-Rivera, MD, MRO
Sponsor: American Psychiatric Association ( APA )

Webinar description: This webinar will explore how telepsychiatry can play a critical role in addressing the shortage of psychiatrists available to provide treatment for patients with opioid use disorders. Participants will learn from one of the experts in the field, Dr. Hector Colon-Rivera, regarding how telepsychiatry is being used to address unmet needs in underserved communities.        [Learn more]
Clinical Simulation:
Talk About Opioid Use Disorder with Your Patients

The Talk About Opioids app, funded by SAMHSA, is a clinical practice simulation to provide effective techniques to identify patients with opioid use disorders (OUD) and how to discuss appropriate treatment options.
  • Learn about symptoms of OUD and FDA approved pharmacotherapies.
  • Learn collaborative communication techniques to discuss opioid management and how to motivate patients to access treatment when needed.
  • Practice discussing opioid use and appropriate treatment options with Lori, a virtual patient presenting with OUD.
  • Talk About Opioids is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

New 8-Hour Online MAT Waiver Course a Popular Choice
Since the launch of the fully online 8-hour physician MAT waiver course was launched two months ago, more than 1,700 physicians have started the course and 700 have completed it and are now eligible to apply for a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. This new course provides a flexible and user friendly approach that allows the health professional another format on their terms--online any time and FREE. Access the course here .
PCSS Trainings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
American Dental Association Archived Webinar
Webinar description: Safe and effective treatment of acute postoperative pain is essential for patient satisfaction and successful practice in dentistry. Because of the growing crisis from illicit and prescription opioid misuse, dentists and other practitioners treating acute pain must understand the risks and benefits of prescribing opioid analgesics such as hydrocodone and oxycodone for managing acute post-operative pain.  [Take Webinar]
Partner Organization Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AOAAM Providing Two Addiction Medicine Courses in March
Essentials of Addiction Medicine
This program is designed to provide up-to-date data and practice techniques for basic through advanced addiction treatment.
Dates: March 2-3, 2019
Location: Thomas Starzl Biomedical Science Tower, Room S120, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA

Advanced Addiction Medicine Course
Those who have completed the Essentials of Addiction Medicine Course and those who have a CAQ in addiction medicine are encouraged to attend.
Dates: March 2, 2019, 7:45 am - 4:45pm. 
Location: Thomas Starzl Biomedical Science Tower, Room S123, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA
APA Hosting a Virtual Learning Collaborative for Psychiatrists
The American Psychiatric Association is hosting a 12-week virtual learning series providing an overview of treatment considerations to use when administering care for patients with opioid use disorder. Special populations and overdose prevention will be discussed in detail. Participants will:
  • Watch pre-recorded webinars
  • Call into office hours
  • Engage with a virtual community
  • Complete an individual project
  • Earn 12 CMEs upon completion of the project

The learning collaborative begins Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. To participate, fill out a form here.
News and Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PCSS Online Brochure. Please share this link with colleagues: https://goo.gl/G1ay6H
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Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 5U79TI026556-03 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.