Proper Prescribing of Controlled Substances
Learn strategies to avoid risky prescribing behaviors
2025 Course Dates
- February 5 - 7 (VIRTUAL)
- April 9 - 11 (VIRTUAL)
- June 4 - 6 (VIRTUAL)
- October 15 - 17 (VIRTUAL)
2026 Course Dates
- February 11-13, 2026 (Virtual)
- April 8-10, 2026 (Virtual)
- June 10-12, 2026 (Virtual)
- October 7-9, 2026 (Virtual)
Courses fill up rapidly and some may already be closed. Please contact us at cph@vumc.org or call 615-936-0678 to check availability for course dates listed prior to making any travel arrangements.
Course Information
The cost is $3,000 which includes materials and CME fees. The full course fee is due at the time of registration.
You may pay by check or credit card. Upon submission of registration, you will be redirected to the payment page for credit card payment. If paying by check, check should be made payable to VUMC and mailed to 2525 West End Ave., Suite 9200, Nashville, TN 37203-1775.
A confirmation email will be sent within two business days of receipt.
Course enrollment is limited to 14 participants.
Course enrollment is limited to 14 participants.
If the course is offered online, this is the required computer technology and expectations:
A laptop or desktop computer with video and audio capability – a built-in or detachable camera and speaker/headphones. iPads are also appropriate. Cell phones are discouraged.
We will send you an email invitation to a virtual meeting. The course will begin at 8 a.m. CST and end at 5 p.m. CST Wednesday through Friday. Sessions are NOT recorded.
Your time commitment will be the same as attending the course onsite and you cannot leave the meeting for the duration of the sessions each day with the exception of lunch. However, significant discussions happen during lunch at our live courses so we encourage you to continue participating and engaging with each other even during lunch and breaks.
You will need to complete assignments via web-based surveys and homework assignments as outlined in the course syllabus. These will be reviewed at the start of the session and at the end of each day.
You will receive your instructions to join the virtual meeting via the email address provided on registration submission.
Course materials will be shipped via FedEx to the address provided on registration submission.
The schedule allows for breaks and lunch times. You will have to provide your own snacks, beverages and meals during the video conferencing.
One of the best aspects of the Proper Prescribing of Controlled Substances course is the interactions between the participants and the teaching faculty and each other. While the video/web-based process may feel uncomfortable at first, please realize that the more you stay engaged the better the process will work.
CME credits will be provided in accordance with your participation; meaning the full course and full credit.
Teach new skills in substance abuse identification
Teach appropriate prescribing practices
Facilitate the healthcare professional's understanding of his/her motivations in the patient encounter as understood within the framework of family systems theory.
Understanding of personal motivations in the patient encounter are explored through:
Discussion of the family system
Discussion of personal responsibility with patients
Brief group experience focused on encounters with patients
Use the group experience to:
Reduce the initial anxiety participants feel at the beginning of the course
Encourage the use of peer support in dealing with difficult cases
After participating in this CME activity, participants should be able to:
Discuss evidence of the opioid epidemic and challenges with safe prescribing of CPDs.
Describe and discuss current information on proper prescribing practices of controlled substances, substance use and misuse, and clinical practice guidelines.
Apply SBIRT and MI in clinical practice scenarios.
Identify individual risk behaviors associated with misprescribing practices and compare and contrast the 10 misprescribing practices of providers
Effectively identify, refer and/or manage the care of patients with pain and substance use.
Healthcare professionals who prescribe controlled substances, especially those individuals who have been cited for inappropriate prescribing.
Charlene M. Dewey, MD, MEd, MACP, Professor, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Division of General Internal Medicine & Public Health
Qutina J. Watson, EdD, Course Director, Center for Professional Health; Instructor in Medicine, Department of Medicine
Michael Baron, MD, MPH, FASAM, Course Instructor
Leah Bowen, MSN, APRN, PMHNP, BC, Course Instructor
Ayne-Wallace Nichols, LCSW, Course Instructor
Vanderbilt University Medical Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 23.75 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Course registration must be cancelled at least 30 days prior to the first day of the course to receive a refund. No refunds will be given if cancellation is received less than 30 days prior to the course. You may transfer to another course date. In the event VUMC must cancel or reschedule this CME activity due to unforeseen circumstances, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) will refund the registration fee in full. Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is not responsible for non-transferable, non-refundable airline tickets or hotel accommodations purchased in connection with attendance at this CME activity. Failure to appear for the event will result in forfeiture of the entire course fee.