SCOPE of Pain is a training program at the BU School of Medicine that focuses on helping prescribers of controlled substances safely and effectively manage patients with acute and/or chronic pain, when appropriate, with opioid analgesics. The program consists of live and recorded modules and webinars and implementation resources and fulfills the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) requirement. Pain is one of the most common conditions addressed in healthcare settings. Over the past two decades increases in opioid prescribing have been associated with increases in opioid-related harms including overdose. Effective pain management along with navigating the risks associated with opioid prescribing are essential skills for all health professionals. MDPH, BSAS has been funded under the CDC’s Overdose Data to Action Grant mechanism to implement strategies to improve practices to treat chronic pain. Trustees of Boston University’s SCOPE of Pain program were selected to provide training on this topic. Trustees of Boston University has high level of expertise in this subject area and a strong history of providing training to providers on pain prescribing in Massachusetts. Continuing to work with BU will represent the best value and savings for the Commonwealth. The purpose of this notice is to publicize the MDPH, BSAS’ intent to issue a waiver naming Trustees of Boston University as a partner to continue the Scope of Pain OD2A grant for the duration of the grant up to 8/31/2028 due to their extensive experience as subject matter experts providing training on this topic. Scope of Pain is the evidence-based pain prescribing curriculum in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The anticipated cost for this service is approximately $75,000 annually for 5 years. This includes the creation and hosting of pain management related training and technical assistance modules, collection of data and reporting on outcomes. Products of the grant will be available across the Commonwealth.
