Delphi study to explore indicators of high functioning pain management teams.

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Healthcare Systems Research
• Team Science

Background:

• Chronic pain management necessitates comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and multimodal strategies.
• Implementing effective pain management teams (PMTs) varies significantly across healthcare settings.
• The Veterans Health Administration increasingly uses PMTs of diverse structures and sizes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify indicators of high-functioning pain management teams (PMTs).
• To work toward a consensus definition for effective PMTs in chronic pain care.
• To explore unique considerations for pain specialists within interdisciplinary teams.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi study was employed with 47 pain management experts.
• A three-round consensus process identified key indicators.
• Qualitative analysis categorized indicators into conceptual domains.

Main Results:

• Forty-nine consensus indicators of high-functioning PMTs were identified.
• Indicators were organized into four domains: Team Characteristics and Values, Team Background and Services, Clinician-Patient Interactions, and Health System Integration.
• Exemplar indicators include mutual respect, medication management, patient communication, and facility support.

Conclusions:

• The complexity of comprehensive pain care is reflected in the numerous indicators for high-functioning PMTs.
• Findings build on existing interdisciplinary team literature while highlighting pain-specific considerations.
• A framework is provided for measuring and facilitating PMT implementation across medical centers.