Shared Decision-Making and Collaborative Care Models for Pain Management: A Scoping Review of Existing Evidence

This article aims to summarize the existing evidence on shared decision-making and collaborative care models for acute and chronic pain management. We searched the PubMed database for articles published between 1980 and 2023 and scanned included articles' references to identify additional sources. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts. Studies met inclusion criteria if they implemented or evaluated shared decision-making or collaborative care interventions in patients with acute or chronic pain. A total of 690 articles were reviewed, with 32 full text articles meeting inclusion criteria. Most studies assessed changes in prescription opioid quantities and patient-reported pain levels. Secondary measures generally included patient satisfaction, 30-day refill rate, and use of non-opioid analgesics. Shared decision-making and collaborative care models are promising interventions to improve pain management. These interventions are effective at reducing opioid consumption among acute and chronic pain patients without compromising patient-reported pain levels. There is further research needed to evaluate how shared decision-making and collaborative care interventions impact patient-centered outcomes such as patient satisfaction, quality of life, and patient-provider communication.