Constipation

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What You’ll Learn

  1. Describe the impact of constipation on quality of life for the patient with serious illness
  2. Identify best practices to assess and diagnose constipation in the patient with serious illness
  3. Explain the relationship between opioids and constipation
  4. Develop strategies to reduce the physical and emotional suffering caused by constipation

What You’ll Earn

After completing the course, you’ll earn a Verification of Attendance certificate.

CAPC members can earn the following free continuing education credits:

  • Case Management: 1.00 CE
  • Medicine: 0.75 CME, 0.75 ABIM MOC (Medical Knowledge Only)
  • Nursing: 1.00 CNE, 0.60 Pharmacotherapy
  • Social Work: 1.00 CE (NYSED)
  • Social Work: 1.00 CE (NASW)

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This course is open-to-all at no cost.

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Tools & Resources

Commonly Prescribed Laxatives
Last Updated:

Medications and dosing guidance for stimulant and osmotic laxatives. Center to Advance Palliative Care, 2017.

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Symptom Management Glossary
Last Updated:

Key terms related to symptom management. Center to Advance Palliative Care, 2017.

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Course References: Constipation
Last Updated:

Course citations. Center to Advance Palliative Care, 2015.

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Opioid Risk Tool (ORT)
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Validated 5-question assessment tool designed to predict which patients are at risk for opioid substance use disorder.

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Fast Fact #15: Constipation
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Mechanisms of constipation and best approaches to treatment.

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Fast Fact #294: Opioid Induced Constipation Part 1: Established Management Strategies
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Non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches to managing opioid-induced constipation.

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Fast Fact #295: Opioid Induced Constipation Part II: Newer Therapies
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Treating opioid-induced constipation, including how and when to use newer therapies.

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Course Directors

Drew Rosielle, MD, FAAHPM. Palliative Care, Fairview Health Services, University of Minnesota Medical School.

Lolita Melhado, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC. Family Nurse Practitioner/Palliative Care, Gulf Coast Medical Center - Lee Memorial Health System.

Philip Higgins, PhD, LICSW. President, Lighthouse Counseling of Salem, Inc.

Amy Case, MD, FAAHPM. Associate Professor of Oncology, Chair, Department of Supportive Care.*

Melissa Bakar, MD. Assistant Professor, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.*

Linda Pang, MD. Fellow, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

*indicates ABIM Peer Reviewer

Contact information: For technical questions about online activity or continuing education credits, contact membership@capc.org or 212-201-2674.

Provided by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

The Courses

Available to non-members
Nausea and Vomiting

Identifying and managing nausea and vomiting for patients living with serious illness and their caregivers.

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Available to non-members
Dyspnea

Reducing physical and emotional suffering from dyspnea for patients with serious illness.

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Available to non-members
Anxiety

Prevalence, screening recommendations, and evidence-based strategies to treat anxiety in patients with serious illness.

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View all courses in the unit