• explain the pharmacology of opiates and how they affect the brain
• define what is opioid dependence based on the DSM-IV criteria
  differentiate abstinence based treatment and withdrawal management from methadone and buprenorphine maintenance treatment
• decide on the appropriate treatment modality for the opioid-dependent client
  implement safe prescribing, dosing, and dispensing of methadone and buprenorphine
• explain the rationale for including urine drug testing in an opioid maintenance treatment program
• describe the role of counselling and case management in methadone and buprenorphine maintenance treatment demonstrate interprofessional collaboration

For Ontario Course Offerings

The instructions for methadone prescribing are based on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, 2011: Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program Standards and Clinical Guidelines.

For Nova Scotia Course Offerings

The instructions for methadone prescribing and dispensing are based on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, 2012: Methadone Maintenance Treatment Handbook.

The instructions for methadone dispensing are based on the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists, 2011: Methadone Maintenance Treatment Services: Standard of Practice for Community Pharmacists in Nova. Scotia.

​Physicians, Pharmacists, Counsellor, Nurses

This course is not open to - pharmacy technicians, lab technicians, medical receptionists at this time.

Course offerings in Ontario:​

Please check back in June 2013 for future course dates.

The Opioid Dependence Treatment Core course is offered in a blended delivery format that includes an online component and a face to face component.

Online component

• 5 online modules - participants must complete prior to the workshop and have one month to do so.  During this month they can access the course at any time that they wish (24/7), and from any location as long as they have internet access.
• Completing the online component involves filling a pre-course learning assessment, and achieving 100% score on all 5 end-of-module quizzes.

Topics covered in the online portion of the course:

• Fundamental of opioid dependence
• Treatment options for opioid dependence
• Counselling clients on maintenance treatment
• Urine drug testing (UDT) in maintenance treatment
• Dispensing of methadone and buprenorphine

• 1 day workshop - offered over weekends (Saturday or Sunday)

The one day workshop is a case-based learning event, which focuses on delivering treatment to clients, through interprofessional collaboration.

Following the workshop

Participants will have to complete:

• Post course learning assessment (physicians have to complete 2 post-course learning assessments)
• End of course exam for physicians and pharmacists

The course remains open for one month following the workshop to allow participants to complete all course requirements.

​$475 Physicians

$400 Pharmacists

$375 Counsellors and Nurses

The course is not open to- pharmacy technicians, lab technicians, medical receptionists at this time.

Required texts (not included in course fee): Please click on Course Resources

Refunds for advance (prior to start date) cancellation will be subject to an administrative fee of $50.00.

Withdrawals from a course are accepted within one week from the course's start date and is subject to an administrative fee of $100.00

​Participants interested in obtaining a Certificate in Opioid Dependence Treatment must complete the ODT Core Course plus three or four elective courses to meet the certificate requirement of a total of 39 or more hours.

This course is accredited in Ontario for:

• The College of Family Physicians of Canada - (up to) 20.5 Mainpro-M1 credits (14.0 Mainpro-M1 credits for the web-based modules, and 6.5 Mainpro-M1 for the in-class workshop);
• The College of Family Physicians of Canada - (up to) 6 Mainpro-C credits (for the in-class workshop);
• The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - (up to)  20.5 Section 1 credits (14.0 Section 1 credits for the web-based modules, and 6.5 Section 1 credits for the in-class workshop);
• The Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy for 20.5 CEUs;
• The Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation - 20 Core CEU's

This course is accredited in Nova Scotia for:

• The College of Family Physicians of Canada - (up to) 20.5 Mainpro-M1 credits (14.0 Mainpro-M1 credits for the web-based modules, and 6.5 Mainpro-M1 for the in-class workshop)
  
• The College of Family Physicians of Canada - (up to) 6 Mainpro-C credits and 0 M1 credits (for the in-class workshop)
• The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - (up to) 6 Section 1 credits (for the in-class workshop)
• The Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy for 20.5 CEUs
• The Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation - 20 Core CEU's
  

Please check back in June 2013 for future course session. 

Refunds for advance (prior to start date) cancellation will be subject to an administrative fee of $50.00.

Cancellation of Course

Cancellation notice must be communicated in writing by email.

If paying by cheque, please email robyn.steidman@camh.ca for instructions.