Small Talks: Opioid Use Disorder & Related Behaviors: Supporting Patients & Each Other

Patients living with opioid use disorder often present with challenging behaviors, which can be a barrier to getting the right care at the right time, and lead to higher hospital utilization. In this session, we’ll explore  how de-escalation training and other strategies, such as psychological first aid, can be an effective approach for communicating with patients who present with challenging behaviors, and can also, in turn, help support healthcare colleagues.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize that patients living with opioid use disorder often present with challenging behaviors, which can result in challenges getting the right care at the right time and place
• Describe how de-escalation training and other strategies, such as psychological first aid, can be an effective approach for communicating with patients who present with challenging behaviors, and can also, in turn, help support healthcare colleagues
• Be prepared to better address patients’ behavioral needs