Practical ways to implement 2022 Practice Guidelines….

The 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain provides recommendations for clinicians providing pain care, including opioid therapy for outpatients aged 18 and above, outside of sickle cell disease-related pain management, cancer-related pain management, palliative care, and end-of-life care. The “Practical Ways to Implement” Resource covers insights gained from a literature review and meetings with Subject Matter Experts on how best to implement these guidelines among American Indian and Alaska Native Patients. The recommendations are grouped into four areas, with regard to the experience of pain and pain management within the context of AI/AN care: 1) Indigenous perceptions of pain, 2) Community involvement in Indigenous patient care, 3) access to medicine and alternative treatment options, and 4) Provider dynamics surrounding prescribing opioids to Indigenous patients. This guidance on implementation of the 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline is intended to support health care providers at all levels of care who address pain management among adult AI/AN patients. Providers should refer to the 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for the most complete information on prescribing opioids generally.