Medical Mentoring for Chronic Pain and Addiction

The opioid crisis in Alberta has highlighted both the complexities and the importance of primary care. Family doctors are facing increased pressure  to actively respond to the opioid crisis, which may be uncomfortable or daunting for family physicians. Just as the family practice is a trusted environment for patients to share their health concerns and seek help, the Collaborative Mentorship Networks (CMN) provides a safe and trusted environment with supporting infrastructure for family physicians to share concerns and seek support in treating thier patients with chronic pain and addiction, including opioid use disorder. Initiated by the Primary Health Care Opioid Response Initiative, the Collaborative Mentorship Networks (CMN) for Chronic Pain and Addiction connects family physicians with colleagues who have experience and expertise in treating patients with pain and addiction. Please note this is not a referral service.

Objectives of the CMN for Chronic Pain and Addiction

• Support family physicians and other healthcare professionals in providing complex clinical care
• Enhance the quality of complex clinical care
• Provide practical and relevant complex clinical care continuing professional development (CPD) based on learning needs
• Increase the number of family physicians and other healthcare professionals who are able to treat complex clinical care patients
• Provide the means for improving integration among primary and specialty care.

CMN (Virtual) Open House – April 2, 2019

Dr. Cathy Scrimshaw (CMN Medical Lead) and Lisa Dayanandan (CMN Coordinator) will be hosting a virtual Open House on Tuesday April 2, 2019 from 7:30 – 8:30 am. This is your opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the network including:

• current and future activities
• expectations of mentors and mentees
• how the network supports participants
• anything else you want to know

For details on how to connect to the open house email mentorship@acfp.ca with “Open House” in the subject line.

Recruitment

The CMN is currently recruiting both mentors and mentees.  We are looking for:

• Family physicians who wish to increase their confidence and capacity in identifying and treating patients with pain and addiction, with an immediate focus on administering OAT for patients with Opioid Use Disorder.
• GPs and specialists with pain management and/or addictions focus who are currently engaged in the opioid response work who would like the opportunity to develop professional relationships, increase their recognition among peers and participate in an initiative that matters.