This morning AAPM Past President Steven Stanos, DO participated in an AMA COVID-19 UPDATE podcast to discuss how the pandemic has impacted the nation’s opioid epidemic. Dr. Stanos also serves as AAPM’s representative on the AMA Opioid Task Force.

Dr. Stanos describes a three-prong approach that his hospital system, Swedish Pain Services, has implemented in order to respond to the pandemic: risk mitigation for patients, increased access for virtual visits, and taking care of staff and hospital team members.

Panelists discussed ways to increase access and eliminate treatment barriers for patients suffering from pain as well as those with opioid use disorder. View the full video.