VetMed Matters Conference - The Opioid Crisis: At the Intersection of Human Health & Veterinary Medicine
Date: March 16 - March 16, 2019
Description:
Between 1999 and 2017, almost 500,000 people died from an opioid overdose, both prescription and illicit. In 2014, it was reported that there were approximately 150% more opioid overdose deaths than deaths from motor vehicle crashes. On average, we are now seeing 50,000 opioid deaths per year. Approximately 40% of these deaths involve a prescription opioid, not illicit drugs. We are losing more than 140 Americans per day to overdoses and millions more are struggling with opioid addiction. In 2017, Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency and announced a 5-Point Strategy to combat this crisis. The human opioid crisis has clearly impacted veterinary medicine including drug shortages and the need for alternative methods to address pain, drug seeking pet owners, and opioid abuse among team members. In addition to providing humane care for animal patients, veterinarians have a role to play in combatting the abuse and misuse of pain medications. Here are the burning questions well address: What is the history of the opioid crisis and how does it affect veterinarians prescribing ability? Am I following DEA regulations appropriately? Is that a concerned pet owner or a drug seeker with a fishy story? How is the human medical world approaching this problem? When is the goal of reducing pain for veterinary patients causing too many other medical problems? Are there alternatives to opioid drugs? Should we treat chronic pain with opioid drugs? As a veterinarian, how do I report opioid prescriptions? Learn how veterinary medicine can be a part of the solution to this devastating crisis and how veterinary medicine can best address the ramifications of a national epidemic. About VetMed MattersWhats it all about? Why should I attend? The VetMed Matters Conference is a meeting where we tackle important subjects that span across practice types and look at emerging issues affecting the veterinary profession. We carefully select the speakers and thought leaders, inviting the best and brightest to share their knowledge, insight, and expertise with our members. VetMed Matters Conference is offered on Sunday to allow for the maximum number of people to attend. Six hours of continuing education are offered. Another reason to participate is that you have direct access to WSVMA leadership and issues. The Board of Directors will meet at the conclusion of the meeting. Bringing members and leadership together, you can help guide WSVMA, generating ideas that direct our continuing education offerings, shape our position on legislative and regulatory issues, and lead to task forces or work groups for specific issues we decide to pursue.
Event Address: Renton Technical College3000 NE 4th ST Building C (Technology Resources Center) Room 101, Blenco Auditorium, Renton, WA, USA
Sponsor: Conference
For More Information:Cassie Isackson,WSVMA
425.396.3191, cassie@wsvma.org, www.wsvma.org
