November 9, 2023
The MMA, Stratis Health, the Minnesota Shared Decision-Making Collaborative and the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) will co-present a virtual forum titled “Opioid Prescribing: Replacing the Contract with Conversation for Better Outcomes” from noon to 1 pm on Tuesday, December 5.
Many health systems use “contracts” with patients as part of opioid prescribing for pain management, presenting the risks and asking patients to agree to such things as urine drug screening and showing pill usage. However, growing literature points toward the effectiveness of shared decision-making conversations over contracts. This shift from contracts to working with patients to understand their options is seen as a better way to help them make decisions based on informed consent.
The session will include presentations by: Kurt DeVine MD, FASAM; Joe Bianco, MD; and Bill Adams, a patient advocate. Jennifer Lundblad, PhD, MBA, president & CEO, Stratis Health, will serve as moderator.
The session will include:
A summary of the evidence.
An example of how a Minnesota health system has shifted away from patient contracts for opioid prescribing.
A patient role-play in how the conversation approach would look and feel.
Discussion of alternative approaches to a contract and how to “replace the contract with conversation.”
Opportunity for participant Q&A
For more information, click here.
Click here to register.
August 20, 2026
A physician and Olympian will give an inspirational address as part of this year's Empowering Physicians event on Friday, September 25, at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
August 20, 2026
Minnesota received some disturbing news this week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as data shows that for the 2025-2026 school year, vaccination rates decreased and non-medical exemptions increased.
August 20, 2026
On August 11, a federal appellate court sided with the Texas Medical Association (TMA) argument that the way the No Surprises Act’s qualifying payment amount (QPA) is calculated has historically favored payers in arbitration.