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Why Does My Doctor Want Me To Attend These Classes? Your doctor is recommending you for this course because he has determined that your particular needs may warrant the long-term use of pain medications. These medications are controlled substances and carry certain risks associated with other types of medications. Knowing the risks and special issues involved with these medications can help you avoid problems and get the best possible relief. Why Should I Take These Classes? The better informed you are, the more actively you can participate in your health care. Due to legal restrictions on these medications and the potential for addiction and serious side effects, being an informed consumer is important to your health and safety. Since you rely on these medications for relief from pain, knowing how to work with your doctor to avoid lapses in your treatment is very important. Will My Insurance Cover The Cost Of The Classes? If you are unsure as to whether your insurance will cover the classes, please call our business office during regular office hours and they will be happy to check with your insurer. Who Conducts These Classes? The classes are conducted by a licensed medical counselor and a registered nurse, all of whom have extensive experience in chronic pain management. I've Been On The Same Medications For Some Time. Is There More I Can Learn From The Classes? Many patients who attend these classes have been on their medications for some time. Most of them report upon completion of the classes that they learned things they didn't know before. Many report they've learned how to avoid or handle problems that they may not have previously encountered. Others learned of treatments they were not aware of that they felt might benefit them. I've Been To Classes Before At Another Doctor's Office. Do I Still Need These Classes? Different doctors have different policies regarding the use of medications. This series of classes is based on the policies and procedures of The Physicians' Pain and Rehabilitation Specialists of Georgia. It will be important for you to know if your current doctor has a different policy or expectations than the doctor that prescribed for you previously. Since failure to follow the policies of this practice can result in lapses in your treatment or in your doctor not being comfortable in keeping you on these medications, it is in your best interest to know what is expected of you. What Happens If I Choose Not To Attend These Classes? The physicians in this practice believe it is important that their patients are well informed of the risks involved with taking medications and that patients have a clear idea of what to expect from the medications. Your doctor takes a certain risk in prescribing narcotic medications; he needs to know that you are willing to do your part to be a responsible patient. If you are unwilling to participate in these classes, your doctor may choose not to continue to prescribe these particular medications for you. What Is The Medication Management Course? The program consists of an evaluation by a medical counselor to determine if there are any personal risk factors that you and your doctor need to be aware of in pursuing this course of treatment. This evaluation is followed by a series of three educational classes. The classes will cover the following topics:
The classes give you the opportunity to ask questions about your medications and your pain management program and also provide you with a chance to learn from the questions and experiences of your classmates. | ||
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