Prescribing tools and resources

Sample treatment agreements

Treatment agreements help ensure patients understand their role and responsibilities regarding their treatment, the responsibilities of the prescribing physician and the conditions under which the treatment may be terminated.

Sample opioid treatment agreement

Sample benzodiazepine receptor agonist treatment agreement

Tools and toolkits

Resource Description Organization Access
Safe prescribing tool kit Steps outlining the College practice standard Safe Prescribing of Opioids and Sedatives College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC Download PDF
Less Sedatives for Your Older Relatives A toolkit for reducing inappropriate use of benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics among older adults in hospitals Choosing Wisely Canada Download PDF
Opioid Manager Point of care tool that condenses key elements from the Canadian Opioid Guideline and can be used as a chart insert Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network Download PDF

Narcotic log sample

Sample spreadsheet for keeping track of controlled drug administration and purchasing records

 College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC Download PDF

Deprescribing and tapering guidelines

Resource Description Organization Access
Michael G. DeGroote National Pain Centre Clinical practice guidelines for pain management McMaster University Visit website
Deprescribing.org Deprescribing guidelines to support health care providers and patients in reducing or stopping medications that may be harmful or no longer needed Bruyère Research Institute Visit website

Resources for prescribers

Resource Description Organization Access
How to talk to patients about addiction Article on how clinician’s word choices and objective actions can guide people in chronic pain through opioid use disorder and into effective treatment. Practical Pain Management Visit website
Stop sleeping pills Using CBTi to help reduce and eliminate sleeping pill use. Sleepwell Visit website
Growing Role of Gabapentin in Opioid-Related Overdoses Highlights Misuse Potential and Off-label Prescribing Practices Article on growing evidence of misuse and overdoses involving gabapentin  JAMA Network Visit website
Managing Patients with Chronic Pain - Part 1 Practical, accessible, BC-specific clinical guidance for managing patients with chronic pain Government of BC Visit website
Managing Patients with Chronic Pain - Part 2 Practical, accessible, BC-specific clinical guidance for managing patients with chronic pain Government of BC Visit website
Navigating opioids for chronic pain Infographic comparing morphine equivalence Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada Download PDF
Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice Prescribing guidelines for general practice Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Visit website
Pharmacists Clinic Offers patients and health-care professionals access and expertise to drug therapy specialists University of British Columbia Visit website
References from drug programs Collection of recommended library resources and articles College of Physicians and Surgeons Download PDF
RxFiles Opioid and pain related links RxFiles Academic Detailing, University of Saskatchewan Download PDF

Pain Management & Opioids: Addressing Important Challenges and Introducing a Chronic Pain & Opioids Mini-Book

 RxFiles newsletter (Fall 2017) RxFiles Academic Detailing, University of Saskatchewan Download PDF
Tapering Opioids:
How to Explore and Pursue the Option
for Patients Who Stand to Benefit		 RxFiles newsletter (Spring 2018) RxFiles Academic Detailing, University of Saskatchewan Download PDF
Medications and risk of motor vehicle collision responsibility
in British Columbia, Canada: a population-based
case-control study		 Article on the risk of collision responsibility associated with common classes of prescription
medications		 Lancet Public Health Download PDF
PEER Simplified Chronic Pain Guideline: Summary Treatment interventions for discussion with patients The College of Family Physicians of Canada Download PDF
BC ECHO on Substance Use BC ECHO on Substance Use is a provincial community of practice that aims to build capacity within primary care to treat and manage substance use disorders (SUDs) through monthly Project ECHO sessions and a monthly newsletter with information about SUD-related events, resources, and news British Columbia Centre on Substance Use Visit website

Resources for patients

Resource Description Organization Access
Patient pamphlets Plain language and patient-friendly materials to help patients learn about tests and treatments Choosing Wisely Canada Visit website
Let's Talk About Opioids Resources for reducing the incidence of opioid misuse, overdose, and death and effective treatment of addiction Medical Associates of Port Perry and North Durham Family Health Team Visit website
Toward the Heart Provincial harm reduction initiative designed to equip members of the public to respond in case of an opioid overdose BCCDC Harm Reduction Services Visit website
Take Home Naloxone kits and program Access Take Home Naloxone kits and learn how to respond to an opioid overdose BCCDC Harm Reduction Services Visit website
Take Home Naloxone site finder Find a community pharmacy that provides free naloxone kits BCCDC Harm Reduction Services Visit website
Emergency-use naloxone Naloxone education and training resources for the public and pharmacy professionals College of Pharmacists of BC Visit website

Rapid Access to Consultative Expertise (RACE)

RACE was created to enhance patient care and provide timely treatment advice.

Easier access to the specialist reduces wait times or eliminates the need for referral, and can triage utilization of walk-in or emergency department services. The family physician or nurse practitioner may phone the RACE line and either speak to a specialist immediately, or receive a return call within two hours.

RACE is available in the following regions:

Visit the RACE website for more information

Rapid Access Addiction Clinic (RAAC)

The RAAC is designed to connect patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders with evidence-based treatment including Suboxone or methadone in order to stabilize the patient in the short term, and subsequently transfer them to a community care provider for ongoing monitoring, support and rehabilitation. 

For patients without a regular health care provider, the RAAC will assist in linking them to one. All services are free.

RAAC is available in the following regions: