Performance and image enhancing drugs

Primary healthcare professionals, especially general practitioners, have a crucial yet complex and challenging role in identifying PIED abuse and supporting its cessation, often in consultation with medical professionals from other specialities. Management is complicated by a lack of guiding clinical trials, and PIEDs users are often exceptionally well-informed.

Effective management requires a nonjudgmental approach and a multidisciplinary team, with objectives focused on treating adverse effects and promoting cessation. This course aims to equip primary healthcare practitioners with the necessary knowledge and confidence to manage male patients who use PIEDs.

By completing this course participants will: 

1. Identify the range of performance and image enhancing drugs commonly used in Australia, particularly among male populations.

2. Describe the physiological systems affected by PIEDs and explain the biological mechanisms of action of commonly used agents.

3. Summarise the intended effects and potential harms associated with PIED use in diverse populations.

4. Recognise the typical patterns of PIED use and outline key demographic characteristics and motivations of users.

5. Detect signs indicative of PIED use through clinical assessment and patient engagement.

6. Apply effective communication strategies to engage and support individuals using or considering PIEDs.

7. Manage adverse effects and complications related to PIED use utilising current harm-reduction and treatment techniques.

8. Implement evidence-based methods to support cessation of PIED use, including referral and follow-up pathways.

9. Discuss the legal aspects of PIED use in Australia and outline healthcare practitioners’ professional and ethical responsibilities.

Partner 

This webinar is bought to you by Healthy Male. Additional webinars, eLearning courses, blogs, podcasts and more can be found here. 

This is a Medcast Continuing Medical Education (CME) course.