Evidence-Based Approaches to Pain Control

Course overview

This continuing education module takes a public health approach across the continuum of pain care, which can be accomplished without worsening the opioid crisis. The strategy begins with preventing and effectively treating acute pain while avoiding unnecessary exposure to opioids followed by early identification and effective treatment of chronic pain or opioid use disorder, then preventing morbidity and mortality from "high-impact chronic pain" or OUD. A good place to start is to fully implement the 2016 National Pain Strategy and support the team-based patient-centered care for those with pain refractory to the standard pain relief approaches. Acknowledging the magnitude and complexity of pain and the concurrent opioid crisis and examining the comprehensive tactics delineated in the NPS for high impact, easily implemented changes, healthcare providers are on the path to lessen the suffering attributed to chronic pain.