Managing substance use within the context of providing comprehensive primary care is always challenging, especially in busy clinical settings. Because most patients have a wide range of complex medical and social needs, clinicians often require timely support in addressing the difficult issues of addiction, chronic pain, and behavioral health. The array of medication options, concerns regarding safe and effective treatments and a rapidly evolving regulatory environment add complexity to patient care. Consultation with experts can provide practical, every-day help for primary care clinicians.

This webinar aims to raise awareness about the Substance Use Warmline, a free and confidential consultation telephone service for primary care clinicians. Based at the HRSA-funded Clinician Consultation Center (CCC) at San Francisco General Hospital, this service provides real-time access to expert clinical consultation when the opportunities for intervention and patient education are greatest. Participants will learn about the Warmline and how real cases have been resolved by t​he CCC’s multi-disciplinary team of expert physicians, clinical pharmacists, and nurses. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the role of telephone-based consultation in managing patients with substance use disorders
• Identify specific clinical topics that can be addressed using telephone-based substance use consultation
• Recognize strengths of a multi-disciplinary approach to substance use consultation​