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Opioids & Cancer ECHO
One-hour video sessions offering continuing education credit for clinicians
About Project ECHO
Project ECHO is a global health education network led by the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Through a case-based collaborative learning model, participants can share real-world challenges, gain practical insights, and build best practices across systems. Learn more about the ECHO Model →
The Opioids & Cancer ECHO series is designed to help healthcare professionals navigate the complexities of cancer-related pain and opioid use. Continuing education credit is available through VCU Health.
ECHO Video Archive
Recorded sessions are available for continuing education credit through the VCU Health Office of Continuing Education.
De-Escalation of Opioids & Long-Term Pain Management
Opioids & Cancer ECHO: De-Escalation of Opioids and Long-Term Pain Management | March 26, 2026, presented by Anita Kuzhiyil, MD; Brenna McCarty, RN, MSN, AGACNP-BC; Theresa Davis, RN, MSN, FNP-BC. Learning Objectives: on completion of this activity, participants will be able to (1) Explore the pharmacologic properties of buprenorphine and its use in cancer-related pain; (2) Define appropriate criteria for buprenorphine use in patients with cancer related pain and concomitant opioid use disorder; (3) Explore methods to initiate and transition to buprenorphine in clinical care.
Interventional Pain Management in Cancer
Opioids & Cancer ECHO: Interventional Pain Management in Cancer | November 20, 2025, presented by Nicolas Maxymiv, DO. Learning Objectives: on completion of this activity, participants will be able to (1) Explore interventional therapies for pain management in patients with cancer and non-malignant pain; (2) Define appropriate criteria for interventional pain management involvement; (3) Describe techniques for opioid use disorder in the setting of chronic opioid therapy from a pain management perspective.
Caring for Patients with Chronic Pain
Opioids & Cancer ECHO: Caring for Patients with Chronic Pain | October 23, 2025, presented by Ajay Manhapra, MD. Learning Objectives: on completion of this activity, participants will be able to (1) Describe and identify nociplastic pain; (2) Explain the basic definitions of chronic primary pain and chronic secondary pain, including chronic cancer related pain, and diagnose them in clinical practice; (3) Verbalize the concepts of nociplastic pain, illness recovery, relief, and reward, and how they are integrated into the conceptualization of chronic pain and its management; (4) Organize comprehensive care for people with chronic pain.
Urine Drug Screening Interpretation
Opioids & Cancer ECHO: Urine Drug Screening Interpretation | September 25, 2025, presented by Carl Wolf, PhD, MS, F-ABFT. Learning Objectives: on completion of this activity, participants will be able to (1) Describe the chemical difference between opioids and opiates; (2) Understand the expected metabolism of opiates; (3) Explain the basics of urine drug testing and the basis for interpreting results; (4) Explore differences in urine drug testing legislation and regulations.
Starting Difficult Conversations
Opioids & Cancer ECHO: Starting Difficult Conversations | August 28, 2025, presented by Anita Kuzhiyil, MD; Brenna McCarty, RN, MSN, AGACNP-BC; Theresa Davis, RN, MSN, FNP-BC. Learning Objectives: on completion of this activity, participants will be able to (1) Describe the challenges and the importance of addressing non-medical opioid use in patients; (2) Apply principles of trauma informed care, non-stigmatizing language, and motivational interviewing techniques in clinical care; (3) Employ harm reduction strategies with appropriate patients; (4) Explore appropriate communication strategies in addressing non-medical opioid use in patients with cancer.
Whole Patient Assessment
Opioids & Cancer ECHO: Whole Patient Assessment | July 24, 2025, presented by Jason Callahan, BS, M.Div., MS, BCC; and Felicia Hope Coley, RN, BSN. Learning Objectives: on completion of this activity, participants will be able to (1) Describe how individual risk factors impact pain management in patients with a history of cancer; (2) Identify existential and spiritual distress in patients, families, and caregivers; (3) Explore appropriate interventions to address total pain.
The Psychology of Pain
Opioids & Cancer ECHO: The Psychology of Pain | June 26, 2025, presented by Taylor B. Crouch, PhD. Learning Objectives: on completion of this activity, participants will be able to (1) Understand the limits of the biomedical model of pain and evidence for the biopsychosocial model; (2) Describe emotional, physiological, behavioral, and sociocultural factors that influence the pain experience; (3) Identify care and treatment implications of the biopsychosocial model of pain.
Opioids, Cancer, and Opioid Use Disorder
Opioids & Cancer ECHO: Opioids, Cancer, and Opioid Use Disorder | May 22, 2025, presented by F. Gerard Moeller, MD. Learning Objectives: on completion of this activity, participants will be able to (1) Understand CDC guidelines for treatment of chronic pain and how those guidelines “do not apply to cancer patients receiving palliative or end of life care;” (2) Discuss whether cancer alters the risks of opioid treatment for pain; (3) Discuss criteria for opioid use disorder and whether cancer alters the criteria for that disorder.