Alex Cahana, MD, director of the University of Washington's Division of Pain Medicine, is working with the U.S. Army to formulate a pain management approach that would address a key issue brought to light by an Army report — up to 35 percent of wounded soldiers in transition units are dependent on prescription and other illegal drugs, according to a News Tribune news report.
Dr. Cahana has described himself as neither a proponent nor opponent of painkillers, but he expressed the overarching need for physicians to carefully evaluate the need of prescription drugs to patients for a long period of time, which can lead to depression and addiction.
Eventually, various hospitals, including Madigan Army Medical Center and other hospitals in the Army's Western Regional Medical Comment, hope to have pain management teams that can create comprehensive plans for patients that would include therapy, medication, exercise and alternative options like acupuncture.
"There is an over-reliance on certain treatments, but mostly prescription drugs," Dr. Cahana said. "They are appropriate for acute pain. The problem is when you get it for a long time without an exit strategy. Then it starts to cause problems. This is not about denying soldiers treatment. It's about giving the right person the right treatment at the right time."
Read the news report about pain management for soldiers and veterans.
Read other coverage about pain management:
- Pain Physicians Can Utilize Random Urine Tests to Reinforce Proper Opioid Use
- Florida Society of Pain Management Providers Applauds New Pain Clinic Regulations
- Three Dozen Florida Pain clinics Close Under New State Law
Dr. Cahana has described himself as neither a proponent nor opponent of painkillers, but he expressed the overarching need for physicians to carefully evaluate the need of prescription drugs to patients for a long period of time, which can lead to depression and addiction.
Eventually, various hospitals, including Madigan Army Medical Center and other hospitals in the Army's Western Regional Medical Comment, hope to have pain management teams that can create comprehensive plans for patients that would include therapy, medication, exercise and alternative options like acupuncture.
"There is an over-reliance on certain treatments, but mostly prescription drugs," Dr. Cahana said. "They are appropriate for acute pain. The problem is when you get it for a long time without an exit strategy. Then it starts to cause problems. This is not about denying soldiers treatment. It's about giving the right person the right treatment at the right time."
Read the news report about pain management for soldiers and veterans.
Read other coverage about pain management:
- Pain Physicians Can Utilize Random Urine Tests to Reinforce Proper Opioid Use
- Florida Society of Pain Management Providers Applauds New Pain Clinic Regulations
- Three Dozen Florida Pain clinics Close Under New State Law