A conversation with Dr. Stefan Kertesz, PI of CSI: OPIOIDS

Dr. Stefan Kertesz is the principal investigator of CSI:OPIOIDs (Clinical Context of Suicide Following Opioid Transitions), a scientific research study that examines suicides after prescription opioid dose reductions in patients with long-term pain. Beginning as a pilot study supported by UAB Heersink School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine, today it’s supported by a Veterans Administration grant under the title “CSI:OPIOIDs-V“. The study’s purpose is to increase knowledge of the demographic, societal, and clinical factors that have led and may lead patients with pain to die by suicide after opioid reduction or stoppage. A summary of the study can be found on its website: sites.uab.edu/csiopioids To learn more about the study, select the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8-GIE65UXQ To review the study's summary sheet, select the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13lhVfAfU9o6-fnX5K3e7RzUKtZTon68K/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=108766571153722131021&rtpof=true&sd=true Dr. Stefan Kertesz is certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine, has a 22-year history of delivering primary care for vulnerable populations such as the homeless, and an 18-year history of research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Veterans Administration on care and services for problems of addiction and drug use. An addiction scholar, Kertesz serves on multiple task forces and teams related to opioid safety. He also led a national petition that resulted in major changes to a planned policy set up by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. #chronic #pain #addiction #patient #advocacy