The complexity model: a novel approach to improve chronic pain care

Area of Science:

• Pain Medicine
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Chronic pain affects over 25% of the US population.
• A significant gap exists between the prevalence of chronic pain and the number of specialized pain medicine physicians.
• Current pain management often faces challenges in primary care settings and relies heavily on opioid-centric approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review a theoretical model for stratifying chronic pain care.
• To promote enhanced communication between primary care providers and pain specialists.
• To address the challenges of managing complex chronic pain in a primary care setting.

Main Methods:

• Review of a theoretical model of care.
• Discussion of challenges in primary care pain management.
• Analysis of an opioid-focused approach.

Main Results:

• A proposed model stratifies patients and treatments by complexity.
• The model emphasizes dynamic collaboration between primary care and pain specialists.
• Addresses the need for a new approach to complex chronic pain.

Conclusions:

• The undertreatment of chronic pain requires advocacy from clinicians and patients.
• An evolved model of pain care is needed, focusing on pain complexity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• A practical blueprint is offered to manage the growing burden of chronic pain.