Talking with the opioid dependent patient

You’re listening to Precision Bites: Talking with Patients about Weight Management, a podcast of simulated clinical encounters dealing with motivational interviewing and weight management in a variety of social contexts. Today the provider will see a 65 year old female with chronic back pain and history of opioid dependence, treated with methadone for 1 year, treatment complicated by 20 lbs weight gain in the last year. The patient’s co-morbidities are chronic back pain and opioid dependence. She lives alone and is on disability. Things we want you to take away from this episode include: 1. How chronic pain, opioid dependence, and weight interact. 2. How to set the agenda for a visit with patients with these issues. 3. Common supports and resources for weight management for this patient.