Management of substance use disorder
The College expects registrants, regardless of specialty or discipline, to be aware of the possibility of substance use disorder (SUD) or the risk of overdose in their patients. Being able to identify and manage patients with SUD or risk of overdose is a core competency of all registrants and should form part of their lifelong learning.
Responding to the overdose crisis in British Columbia
Substance use disorders (SUD) have had a profound impact on the health of British Columbians. The overdose crisis continues to rage in the province and there continues to be staggering statistics about the number of lives lost tragically because of the toxic illicit drug supply.
Role of the regulator
The College does not develop or write clinical practice guidelines, but it is an expectation of the College that registrants, regardless of specialty or discipline, need to be aware of the possibility of SUD or the risk of overdose in their patients. Not all patients who are at risk of overdose from the toxic drug supply will meet the criteria for opioid use disorder or another SUD.
Being able to identify and manage patients with SUD or risk of overdose is a core competency of all registrants and should form part of their lifelong learning.
BCCSU specialized training and competencies
Registrants in primary care, internal medicine, psychiatry and related specialties may wish to undertake specialized training and establish added competencies in management of opioid use disorder (OUD).
There are many educational offerings available at the (BCCSU) that are tailored to different scopes of practice.
Areas of particular focus
Guidelines
BCCSU guidelines
The BCCSU is responsible for the development of clinical care guidance for prescribers of opioid use disorder treatment in BC.
