OASIS

Series of Webinars on Opioid Awareness, Safety, and Intervention Strategies

The OASIS Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Pain Management and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) Education Program is a virtual continuing education (CE) initiative designed to address critical gaps in understanding and managing pain in cancer patients and other chronic pain patients, particularly in the context of opioid use and associated risks. The program will offer a series of webinars focused on equipping healthcare professionals with the skills to balance effective pain management with the need to reduce the risk of opioid misuse and manage SUDs in pain management and oncology care.

Learning objectives:

1.    Discuss regulatory guidelines and best practices for opioid prescribing, including DEA and state-specific requirements.
2.    Explore non-opioid and non-pharmacologic pain management strategies for cancer-related pain.
3.    Learn best practices for assessing, prescribing, and monitoring opioid use in oncology patients.
4.    Identify and manage opioid-related adverse events to optimize patient safety and comfort.
5.    Screen for and assess SUDs using validated tools and implement preventive strategies.
6.   Discuss personalized pain management plans tailored to patient-specific needs and risk factors.
7.   Examine emerging research, technologies, and future strategies for improving pain management and reducing SUD risks.
8.   Foster interdisciplinary collaboration to provide holistic, patient-centered care in oncology pain management.
9.   Review current guidelines, clinical data, and evidence-based practices to enhance clinical decision-making.
10.    Develop patient education strategies to promote safe opioid use and adherence to treatment plans.
11.    Address disparities in pain management and SUD care to ensure equitable and ethical treatment for all patients.

August 2025

1 CE credit

Webinar 1: Drug Regulations in the US: Opioid Misuse and Barriers to Adequate Pain Management

Strict opioid prescribing regulations aim to curb misuse but often unintentionally restrict access for patients with legitimate needs, such as cancer-related pain. A lack of understanding among clinicians about regulatory nuances contributes to hesitancy in prescribing opioids, negatively impacting patient care. Clinicians require practical tools to navigate these regulations while adhering to best practices for pain management.

September 2025

1 CE credit

Webinar 2: Pain Assessment and Management: Non-Opioid Strategies

Non-opioid strategies reduce reliance on opioids and associated risks but are often underutilized due to limited provider familiarity or access. Effective integration of these approaches requires understanding their mechanisms, evidence, and appropriate patient selection.

September 2025

1 CE credit

Webinar 3: Pain Assessment and Management: Opioids (Part I)

Understanding proper initiation and titration of opioids is essential to minimize adverse events and maximize efficacy. Clinicians must balance adequate pain relief with strategies to mitigate dependency risks.

October 2025

1 CE credit

Webinar 4: Pain Assessment and Management: Opioids (Part II)

Effective opioid rotation and tapering minimize risks while maintaining pain relief. Opioid rotation can reduce tolerance and improve pain control, but it requires careful clinical judgment. Breakthrough pain requires rapid and effective interventions to maintain quality of life. Understanding the nuances of chronic opioid management is critical to reducing adverse outcomes.

October 2025

1 CE credit

Webinar 5: Opioid-Related Adverse Events in Cancer Patients

Timely identification and management of opioid-related side effects are essential to ensure patient safety and maintain therapy efficacy.

October 2025

1 CE credit

Webinar 6: Screening and Recognizing Signs of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) in Oncology

Proactive risk mitigation strategies can reduce SUD prevalence while maintaining effective pain management. Early detection of SUDs in cancer patients improves outcomes and reduces risks associated with opioid misuse. Routine screening can help clinicians address SUDs proactively.

October 2025

1 CE credit

Webinar 7: Management of Chronic Pain in Cancer Survivors

Chronic pain in cancer survivors requires a nuanced approach that minimizes dependency risks and prioritizes quality of life.

October 2025

1 CE credit

Webinar 8: Non-Pharmacologic Therapies, Including Psychological Support

Non-pharmacologic therapies complement pharmacologic treatments and reduce dependency risks, but barriers limit their adoption. This webinar has the purpose to improve understanding of non-pharmacologic options for managing cancer pain, to enhance collaboration with mental health professionals for psychological support, and to increase adoption of holistic patient-centered care approaches.