Physician Enhancement: The Value of Physician Extenders in Pain Medicine

Eric J. Grigsby, MD

Medical Director
Founding Partner
Napa Pain Institute
Napa, CA

Physician extenders in pain medicine generally include physician assistants and nurse practitioners, as well as, at times, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and medical assistants. Clearly, physician assistants and nurse practitioners can play important roles in the long-term management of patients with chronic pain, including assisting with follow-ups, evaluating medical management, referring patients to outside resources, and helping with new consults. The specific roles of these healthcare providers, however, are shaped by the needs of the practice and state regulatory policy. Of note, tasks and responsibilities should match the skills and training of the practitioners, which will help maximize contributions to the practice and job satisfaction. At the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, Dr. Grigsby led a session on the roles and responsibilities of physician extenders as critical components of the pain management continuum.

References

Philips BD, Liu SS, Wukovits B, et al. Creation of a novel recuperative pain medicine service to optimize postoperative analgesia and enhance patient satisfaction. HSS J. 2009 Sep 17. [Epub ahead of print]
Stenner K, Courtenay M. Benefits of nurse prescribing for patients in pain: nurses' views. J Adv Nurs. 2008;63(1):27-35.
Atwater A, Bednar S, Hassman D, Khouri J. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants in primary care. Dis Mon. 2008;54(11):728-744.
Riley S. Easing the pain: nurse practitioners and pain management. Okla Nurse. 2004-2005;49(4):24-26.

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