Optimizing pain management through collaborations with behavioral and addiction medicine in primary care.

Abstract

Chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) affects many primary care patients, and carries a large human and economic burden. In response to the widespread perception that pain is underdiagnosed and undertreated, regulatory bodies have encouraged more comprehensive services to address pain syndromes. Significant hurdles exist in treating CNCP in primary care settings, and interventional therapies and pharmacotherapy often do not provide complete symptomatic relief. This article describes a multidimensional and interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of CNCP. The utility of collaborations with behavioral and addiction medicine specialists optimizes care and advances models of patient treatment within a primary care patient-centered medical home.