MATE Course Part 2: Using Opioids & Non-Opioids to Control Acute Pain

In many cases, moderate to severe acute postoperative pain can be managed without opioid analgesics, and this program highlights the scientific evidence for various pain-control strategies using commonly available medications. In patients unable to take NSAIDs, opioids can be safely and effectively utilized, using appropriate evidence-based combinations. In other groups of patients, single agents can be selected with a good expectation of favorable outcomes. This course highlights the scientific basis for selection of effective analgesics as well as the lack of scientific evidence for the use of some popular, but relatively ineffective, medications.