What is the Physician Clinical Support System - Methadone? (PCSS-M)

The Physician Clinical Support System for Methadone (PCSS-M) is a free, nationwide program through which health care providers needing information and mentoring on methadone treatment for opioid addiction and/or pain can connect with experts in the field. PCSS-M MENTORS provide telephone, email and on-site support. They come from across the country and work in licensed opioid treatment programs, pain clinics, primary care, and other practice settings. The PCSS-M is coordinated by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) in conjunction with other leading medical societies.

PCSS-M offers a national network of trained health care provider mentors with expertise in the clinical pharmacology of methadone and clinical education. Mentors are supported by NATIONAL EXPERTS in the use of methadone and by a MEDICAL DIRECTOR, C0-MEDICAL DIRECTOR, and SENIOR ADVISOR.

The PCSS-M MENTORS are members of medical specialty societies and provide mentoring support and educational services based on evidence-based practice guidelines. The efforts of PCSS-M are coordinated by a STEERING COMMITTEE composed of representatives from the Federal government and the leading pain and addiction medicine societies, along with primary care and psychiatric organizations that represent the target health care provider populations.

PCSS-M provides educational services to any and all health care providers treating patients with methadone in an effort to increase the appropriate use and safety of this efficacious but clinically challenging medication.

The PCSS-M is designed to offer support to clinicians treatment of pain and addiction on a number TOPICS including:

Patient assessment and selection
Initiating and titrating methadone
Conversion from other opioids
Dosing and patient monitoring
Interpreting methadone serum levels
Drug-drug interactions
Methadone and cardiac conduction
Minimizing risk of diversion and overdose
Management of co-occurring conditions
Identification and provision of useful resources

This project is funded by a grant from The Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT); grant#1H79TIO20294-01.

How to get involved

Contact PCSS-M Staff for more information about the program or to find a PCSS-M clinician in your locale or region.

To register as a PCSS-M Participant, you may contact the PCSS-M directly or download, complete, and return the PCSS-M Participant Registration Questionnaire form (forthcoming). PCSS-M staff will match you to a mentor within 2 days of receiving your registration form.

For more information about applying to become a mentor click here: PCSS-M MENTOR APPLICATION

EMAIL:	PCSSproject@asam.org
PHONE:	877.630.8812
FAX:	301-576-5156
Brochure:	PCSS-M Postcard (.pdf)
Registration Form:	Download Registration Form (.pdf)
On-Line Registration:	Click Here to Register Online

Quick links

FIND A MENTOR

BECOME A MENTOR

CLINICAL GUIDANCES


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