BY JESSICA VAUTOUR, MMS SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, CONTINUING EDUCATION
The Massachusetts Medical Society, in collaboration with Boston Medical Center, has launched a new online course to address a critical gap in clinician training around Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs).
“ERPOs are one of the tools we can use to prevent firearm injuries,” says Tracey Dechert, MD FACS, Activity Director for the FREE CME activity, Protecting Patients and Preventing Harm: ERPOs as a Clinical Tool. ERPOs are a vital but underutilized
intervention that allows clinicians and others to act when an individual poses a risk of harming themselves or others. By temporarily restricting firearm access during periods of crisis, ERPOs can help prevent suicide, mass shootings, and other acts
of gun violence. Despite their importance, many clinicians report uncertainty about how ERPOs work, when to file, and what their role is in the process.
This free CME-accredited course equips clinicians with:
- Recognition skills to identify risk factors and warning signs.
- Communication strategies for initiating conversations with patients and families.
- Step-by-step guidance on filing an ERPO and understanding the clinician’s role.
- Case-based learning that demonstrates how ERPOs are applied in real-world practice.
- Integration tips for aligning ERPOs with suicide prevention, screening, and safety planning.
- CME credit to support professional growth while learning practical tools.
By completing this program, clinicians will gain confidence in using ERPOs as a life-saving intervention and strengthen their ability to protect patients and communities.
Take the course today.
