Course Description
With the continued growth of naturopathic licensure and scope, Naturopathic Physicians in many states now have access to a broad range of treatments to help patients, in the form of the full range of pharmacotherapies available to our conventional colleagues. Any treatment, of course, is not without its risks, and the "controlled substances" carry not only medical but also legal and ethical risks. This lecture will review the different DEA schedules of controlled substances, many of the common medication classes covered (specifically opioids, stimulants, and sedative-hypnotics), as well as how to safely prescribe. In addition, recommendations will be made for safely, ethically, and legally prescribing these medications, to protect both the patient and one's practice.
Learning Objectives
1) Review DEA Schedules of Controlled Substance
2) Discuss general principles of prescribing controlled substances, both acute and chronic
3) Review key classes of controlled substances
4) Discuss risks of harms with controlled substances, including in combination with each other
Example Curriculum
About the Instructor
Dr. Bill Walter is a Naturopathic Primary Care Physician and Associate Medical Director at the Community Health Centers of Lane County, in Eugene, Oregon. In addition to clinical and administrative duties, he serves on the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine, is Vice-Chair of the Clinical Advisory Panel from Trillium Community Health Plan, and is a Delegate from Oregon to the AANP House of Delegates. He has previously served as Chair of Trillium’s Chronic Pain Committee and Chair of the AANP Scientific Affairs Committee. He has given over 40 CME-approved lectures to conventional and naturopathic conferences around the US discussing natural and pharmaceutical pain management, pain policy, healthcare integration, and pharmaceutical reviews. Dr. Walter received his ND from Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington, and then completed Residency at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle. He lives in Eugene, Oregon with his wife and teenaged daughter and their pets.
