PCSS-B Training

Half and Half Course

In an effort to provide training in a way that is more flexible for both practicing physicians and resident physicians, AAAP created the Half and Half course. The first half of the course is 3.75 hours of CD-based training. This CD contains training on substance abuse treatment, opioids, and the use of buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid dependence from office-based practices. An examination in the packet of training materials must be completed and a passing score obtained as part of the process to obtain a waiver for prescribing buprenorphine.

The other half of the course is a 4.25 hour face-to-face classroom training with small groups. The training focuses on specifics of treatment of patients with opioid dependence in office-based settings and clinical vignettes to help trainees think through real life experiences in opioid dependence treatment.

The combined CD and face-to-face trainings provide the required eight hours needed to obtain the waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in office-based treatment of opioid dependence. If you have any questions about the Half and Half course or are interested in a training session, please contact us at info@pcssb.org or 888-572-7724.

HOT TOPICS in Buprenorphine Treatment- Webinar Series

HOT TOPICS in Buprenorphine Treatment is a PCSS-B-sponsored webinar series that addresses a variety of clinical topics, as well as emerging legislative, regulatory, and practice management issues. Scheduled on the second Tuesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the sessions feature national clinical experts, researchers, and government officials. This program is aimed at reaching physicians who have completed buprenorphine training, all of whom are invited to participate. Information and scheduling can be accessed here. Recordings of past webinars can also be accessed here.

Tele-Broadcasting/Video-Conferencing

AAAP and AOAAM jointly sponsor tele-broadcasting which will be presented to remote areas interested in training, but where physicians have difficulty accessing in-person trainings. One component of the tele-broadcasting/videoconferencing program will be to provide the four hours of instructor presentations for Half and Half training completion. This program component offers a means of obtaining waiver eligibility for those physicians in remote areas who may not be able to participate in the webinar trainings.

Live Presentations

There will be a limited number of eight hour trainings leading to waiver eligibility that are held at large national meetings and targeted to key groups that are important to expanding access to substance abuse treatment and specifically treatment of opioid dependence.