Session #1: Meeting the Challenge: Managing Chronic Pain in Patients with Chronic Opioid Disorders: Integrating Care and Communication

Join the UVA Medical Alumni Association and the UVA Department of Anesthesiology Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship for a three-part series:

Meeting the Challenge: Navigating Complex Pain Management Issues

Participation is free of charge and most appropriate for Physicians, Nurses, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and other Healthcare Professionals.

Each session is accredited for 1 hour: you may choose to participate in a single session or multiple.

UVA Health Continuing Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Virginia School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1^TMCredit(s). Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with their participation in the activity.

The University Of Virginia School Of Medicine awards one hour of participation to each non-physician participant who completes this educational activity; more information will be provided at the session. The University of Virginia School of Medicine maintains a permanent record of participants who have been awarded hours of participation. CME transcripts may be obtained at CME Village (click on Transcripts and follow the instructions).

UVA Medical School alumni, students, faculty, housestaff and other interested participants will have the opportunity to earn CME credit  on a universally relevant topic. They will hear from current faculty with expertise in anesthesiology, pain management and pain psychology. This series will highlight Department of Anesthesiology pain programs as a resource for alumni across the country, as well as for our local community.

Part 1: Managing Chronic Pain in Patients with Chronic Opioid Disorders: Integrating Care & Communication
September 26, 2025
3:30pm
Pinn Hall, Auditorium

Speakers: Dr. Dr. Lynn Kohan, Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Division Chief Pain Medicine, Medical Director of the Pain Management Center, and Director for the Pain Fellowship program at UVA.

Dr. Dania Cyd Chastain, UVA Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Director, UVA Department of Anesthesiology Office of Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship (OPMOS)

Learning Objectives:

• Describe warning signs for opioid abuse disorder and impact on mental health
• Learn ways to communicate with patients about sensitive topics, including opioid abuse risk factors, realistic expectations, impact on mental health, and use of illicit drugs
• Describe opioid related conditions that may accompany long-term opioid therapy
• Discuss treatment strategies for patients with chronic pain who have opioid related conditions, including SPOD/CPOD or OUD (whether active, or in remission)

Brief Description:

Dr. Chastain will address the impact of OUD and mental health issues on our patients with chronic pain. She will discuss ways to enhance sensitive communication, including harm reduction strategies, with patients at risk for opioid abuse. Dr. Kohan will discuss the clinical implications of prolonged opioid use in treatment for chronic pain patients, and dive into issues frequently associated with long-term opioid therapy. She will then explain treatment options, including use of Buprenorphine for medical management.

This lecture offers 1 hour of educational content on opioid disorders, required by many states for opiate and/or buprenorphine management.