Chronic Pain: Treat or Refer? - FREE NO CME-Chronic Pain: Treat or Refer?

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Jennifer Ha’s webinar on chronic pain treatment emphasizes a biopsychosocial approach, recognizing the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors influencing chronic pain, especially in perioperative patients. Many patients present with preexisting chronic pain, which may worsen or lead to new pain issues after surgery. Effective management involves multidisciplinary care including medical treatment, physical therapy, psychological support, and tailored interventions like nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation.<br /><br />The discussion highlights different treatment modalities such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), vagal nerve stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, cryoneurolysis, and more invasive procedures for refractory pain. Patient education and realistic goals are central, focusing on improving function rather than solely reducing pain.<br /><br />Dr. Ha advises early referral to pain specialists pre-surgery to optimize management and opioid use. She stresses careful opioid management, multidisciplinary collaboration, and clear communication with patients and surgical teams.<br /><br />Regarding medical cannabis, she cautions about inconsistent dosing, potential risks, and limited evidence, recommending traditional treatments first while remaining open to patient preferences.<br /><br />Overall, the webinar advocates for individualized, comprehensive chronic pain care grounded in multidisciplinary collaboration and ongoing patient education.

Keywords

chronic pain treatment

biopsychosocial approach

perioperative pain management

multidisciplinary care

nerve stimulation therapies

opioid management

medical cannabis caution