This topic was one of the panel discussions presented by GLFHC physicians and pharmacists at the Massachusetts Society of Addiction Medicine’s (MASAM) annual conference, September 19 and 20.
GLFHC remains a place where people with substance use disorders consistently receive the highest and most advanced care in the state, and many academic centers consistently learn new and best practices from us. Our conference presentations included:
- A Spicy Debate: Should Opioids be Prescribed to Patients with OUD and Chronic Pain?
- Complex Case Panel Discussion #1: OUD and Chronic Pain
- MASAM Pain and OUD Working Group Recommendations
- Addiction Consult Services: Innovations and Impact Across Massachusetts
- Ryan Dono, MD
- Cassandra Fisher, PharmD, RPh
- Mia Sorcinelli, MD
- Natalie Stahl, MD, MPH
- Josh St. Louis, MD, MPH, FAAFP, FASAM, AAHIVS
- Elizabeth Quinn, MD (LFMR Class of 2016, now at Lynn Community Health Center)
- Audra Williams, MD, MPH, FASAM (LFMR Class of 2019, now at Lowell General Hospital Bridge Clinic)
- Morgan Younkin, MD, MPH (LFMR Class of 2020, now at Boston Healthcare for the Homeless)
Chronic Pain and SUD Practice Guideline
In addition, numerous GLFHC clinicians participated in a year-long task force on chronic pain and substance use disorders (SUDs), which has produced a practice guideline. As far as we understand, this is the only clinical practice guideline in existence providing recommendations for how to manage chronic pain in individuals with SUDs. I am very proud to have chaired the task force, and GLFHC authors of the practice guideline also include Ryan Dono, MD; Natalie Stahl, MD, MPH; and Cassandra Fisher, PharmD, RPh. We appreciate the edits and contributions received by Chief Medical Officer Nicholas Weida, MD; and Kristin Chu, MD (LFMR Class of 2026).
