Reflection, Analysis and Change: The Decade of Pain Control and Research and its Lessons for the Future of Pain Management

James Giordano, PhD, M.Phil

Center for Neurotechnology Studies
Potomac Institute for Policy Studies
Arlington, Virginia

The Decade of Pain Control and Research (2000-2010) has ushered in a new era in the practice of pain management. Despite scientific and technologic advances, however, significant areas of concern have emerged. Translating newly developed technologies into practice, for example, is particularly challenging and, above all, must keep the interest and safety of the patient as the primary goals. Further, despite technological advances, pain remains a subjective biopsychosocial construct, complicating assessment strategies and evaluations of treatment outcomes. Ethical challenges abound, both within the pain management field—eg, balancing professional duties to provide pain relief with public health responsibilities to reduce prescription medication abuse—and as a result of external forces, including potential legal sanctions or financial incentives. By integrating the biopsychosocial model into pain practice and research, clinicians and scientists can work together to develop effective, affordable therapies, identify best practices in pain assessment and treatment, and mold public policy, all with the steadfast goal of improving patient care.

References

Boswell MV, Giordano J. Reflection, analysis and change: the decade of pain control and research and its lessons for the future of pain management. Pain Physician. 2009;12(6):923-928.
Giordano J. Techniques, technology and tekne: the ethical use of guidelines in the practice of interventional pain management. Pain Physician. 2007;10(1):1-5.
Gatchel RJ, Peng YB, Peters ML, Fuchs PN, Turk DC. The biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain: scientific advances and future directions. Psychol Bull. 2007;133(4):581-624.

Would you like to comment? , or in if you are already a member.

Chronic opioid therapy and preventive services in rural primary care: an Oregon rural practice-based research network study.

Buckley DI, Calvert JF, Lapidus JA, et al.
Ann Fam Med. 2010;8(3):237-44.
PURPOSE:...

A different kind of co-morbidity: Understanding posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain

Beck JG, Clapp JD.
Psychol Trauma. 2011 Jun;3(2):101-108.
Many traumatic events leave...

The impact of enrollment in a specialized interdisciplinary neuropathic pain clinic

Garven A, Brady S, Wood S, Hatfield M, Bestard J, Korngut L, Toth C.
Pain Res Manag. 2011...

Association between urine drug test results and treatment outcome in high-risk chronic pain patients on opioids

Barth KS, Becker WC, Wiedemer NL, Mavandadi S, Oslin DW, Meghani SH, Gallagher RM.
J Addict...

The role of core strengthening for chronic low back pain.

Akuthota V, Standaert CJ, Chimes GP.
PM R. 2011 Jul;3(7):664-70.