S.O.A.R. Conversation Path- Pick One or Both for Expert Learner
- Express Learners: Watch the basic S.O.A.R. conversation and setting limits videos. View the S.O.A.R. pocket cards and "Words that Work" Infographics, Opioid Contract, and complete opioid conversation scripts.
- Expert Learners: Complete express path and view MI path based on your time and interest level.
S.O.A.R Through "Difficult Conversations" Video
In this clinical example, you will see a practitioner working with a patient to reduce her use of opioid medications.
Note the use of S.O.A.R. technique developed by Laura Heesacker and E. Krebs
S: Shared Decision Making when safety allows, avoid backing patients into a corner.
- Lower Risk = Higher Shared Decision Making
O: Outcomes- Focus on what the patient cares about:
- Improved quality of life
- Protection from opioid-related harm
- Staying under the care of the team
A: Assurance and Validation
- All pain is real
- Make eye contact
- Observe behavior
- Physical exam at every visit
R: Risk and Redirect
- Risk belongs to the drug
- Use universal precautions (UDS, PDMP, behavioral contracts.)
- Redirect conversation from pain to function
Running time 6:03 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvlQuaOogUE
Links to an external site.
View the S.O.A.R. Pocket Cards
SOAR Pocket-Cards-for-Difficult-Conversations.pdf Download SOAR Pocket-Cards-for-Difficult-Conversations.pdf
View "Words that Work" Scripts
Words That Work for Opioid Conversations Short Version.pdf Download Words That Work for Opioid Conversations Short Version.pdf
View Complete Script for Having Difficult Opioid Discussions
Opioid Conversation Scripts-Words that Work-Full Version (1).pdf Download Opioid Conversation Scripts-Words that Work-Full Version (1).pdf
Setting Limits and Behavioral Contracts
In this interview segment, Dr. Blum describes how to use a behavioral contract to prevent problems at the time you start prescribing opioids for a patient and talks about how to set limits in an emphathic and non-blaming way if that does become necessary.
Running time 6:13 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUIRxO8-__g&feature=youtu.be
Links to an external site.
View a Typical Contract that You Can Use in Practice
SamplePatientAgreementForms.pdf Download SamplePatientAgreementForms.pdf