[Sustainability of Interdisciplinary Multimodal Pain Management]

Interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy (IMPT) is the gold standard for patients with refractory chronic pain. However, long-term treatment success varies considerably. While evidence for factors of success is scarce, this narrative review outlines key strategies to improve the long-term effectiveness of IMPT across all treatment phases, exemplified in a model patient with fibromyalgia. A comprehensive interdisciplinary assessment is essential to identify medical, psychological, functional, and social barriers to recovery while fostering patient engagement and shared decision-making. During therapy, patient education, individualized goal setting, and strengthening self-efficacy are crucial to promoting lasting behavioral change. In particular, early planning of discharge modalities may facilitate treatment adherence in an ambulatory setting. Discharge reports with concrete interdisciplinary recommendations enhance long-term success. Moreover, digital health applications and self-help groups may reinforce learned strategies and improve adherence. A structured booster session several months after IMPT is recommended to assess treatment success, review treatment goals, reinforce coping strategies, and strengthen motivation through peer support and interdisciplinary guidance. Overall, sustainable success after IMPT depends on careful patient assessment, continuous patient activation, individual approaches with concrete goals, seamless transition to outpatient care, and a structured long-term follow-up. These measures may improve patients' ability to manage chronic pain in everyday life.