'The Time is Now for Better Pain Care for Patients' - Physician Leaders from Across Medicine Conclude from a Closed-Door P...(ded into workgroups to discuss one of th...),Health

• What should all physicians know about Pain Medicine?
• How should Pain Medicine be taught?
• What are the parameters that define the field of Pain Medicine?
• What mechanisms do we need to establish the competency of a physician who practices Pain Medicine?
• And what are the barriers that prevent patients from receiving adequate pain care?
  

Participants looked at the state of how pain is treated within the parameters of their workgroups. They idealized how pain should be addressed in light of their workgroup topic, and then determined the next steps to bridge the gap.

The results were then shared as a whole with all constituents and further discussed. A list of approximately 30 action items was formulated and is being shared with participants. Funding will be key to actualizing better pain care for patients.

"The sentiment at the meeting was that 'the time is now' for better pain care," said AAPM Liaison Director Michel Y. Dubois, MD. "With the support of the summit attendees, we hope to expand this group of participants to include more medical and allied health organizations as well as government and insurance sectors in future Pain Summits. It is time to get the Pain Medicine specialty organized, to formally train all physicians in pain management, and to provide better care to patients," Dr. Dubois concluded.

About the AAPMedicine

For more than 25 years, the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) is the premiere medical specialty society representing more than 2,200 physicians practicing in the field of comprehensive pain medicine. The Academy is involved in education, training, advocacy and research in the specialty of pain medicine information is available on the practice of pain medicine at www.painmed.org'/>"/>