AFMC is responding to the surge of overdoses and opioid-related deaths in Canada by leading the creation of a Canada-wide, competency-based curricula for current and future physicians in pain management and addiction medicine. With support from Health Canada through its Substance Use and Addiction Program, AFMC received funding to develop an Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME), Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME), and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) curriculum consisting of bilingual online modules that would address gaps in current educational offerings. The curriculum provides a timely opportunity to approach the opioid crisis and allow physicians to gain better insights and tools.

The curriculum will:

  • Further educate key stakeholders on the appropriate use and response to misuse of opioids, including resident physicians, faculty, preceptors, medical students, practicing physicians, community members or other interprofessional providers.
  • Modules designed to move with learners through their medical education
  • Modules can also be utilized free-standing
  • Topic 1: building relationships with individuals: navigating difficult conversations
  • Topic 2.1: opioid stewardship: prescribing and management
  • Topic 2.2: opioid stewardship: rotation and deprescribing
  • Topic 3: medical addiction treatment
  • Topic 4: management of chronic pain in differing contexts
  • Topic 5: cancer-related pain
  • Topic 6.1: advanced knowledge of pain management
  • Topic 6.2: management of chronic pain

Self-Assessment Tool has been created aimed at physicians to be able to identify which modules they should or need to take.

What is the Self-Assessment Tool?

  • Online and free
  • multiple-choice assessment questions related to each module
  • Tells you whether you got the question right or wrong and WHY
  • Tracks and compiles achievement to make recommendations for which Opioid Response modules are the most relevant for you
  • Emails you the list of module recommendations
  • MAINPRO+ and Royal College credits available
  • It will take roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete.

Access Self-Assessment Tool, please click here: https://queensu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0IMIvaHhtxXR9OK


A free version of the curriculum is available. The free version is not accredited; however, acknowledgement of the completed modules will be obtainable. To access the free curriculum, click learn more.

An accredited curriculum is now available for residents and practicing physicians interested in obtaining continuing professional development (CPD) credits; it has been accredited by Queen’s University for both the CFPC and Royal College for up to 22.5 credits.