A major report on the future of pain management recommended that generalists should handle most pain patients, while pain specialists limit themselves to the most complex ones, according to an Institute of Medicine news release.
The new IOM report noted that almost all newly minted primary care physicians have been trained to treat chronic pain.
In addition, the report made the following observations and recommendations, which it said could be implemented from 2012-2015:
Chronic pain is widespread. At least 116 million adult Americans experience chronic pain, costing $560 billion to $635 billion a year.
Each person experiences it differently. Pain is experienced differently, requiring variations in medical care for each patient.
Patients should learn self-management. Healthcare organizations should develop innovative approaches and materials to help patients with self-management.
Training programs should cover pain. Training programs for a wide variety of health professionals should include pain education and interdisciplinary approaches.
Payors should expand coverage. Payors should cover interdisciplinary pain care, paying for pain management consultations and counseling of patients and families.
Fund more pain research. The National Institutes of Health should expand funding for pain management research.
Read the IOM release on pain management.
Related Articles on Pain Management:
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Impact on Pain Management of the New Outcomes Research Institute: Q&A With Dr. Laxmaiah Manchikanti