Comprehensive Evaluation for Chronic Pain.

Abstract

Chronic pain is a common presenting problem in primary care offices. Primary pain disorders and chronic pain secondary to another underlying medical problem can significantly impact a patient's function and quality of life. Chronic pain is a complex diagnosis requiring individualized biomedical, psychosocial, and behavioral evaluations for each patient. Through thorough patient interview, physical examination, diagnostics, and standardized assessment tools, primary care clinicians can create a robust care plan for patients with chronic pain. Given the multifaceted nature of chronic pain, it is a diagnosis that fits into chronic disease model of care managed appropriately in the primary care setting.