More than 51 million Americans (over 21 percent of the population) experienced chronic pain in 2021. This type of pain can be debilitating for patients and challenging for healthcare providers to treat, especially considering that patients often experience this pain during their daily lives. Understanding chronic pain and the role of anesthesia providers in chronic pain management can help your healthcare facility meet the needs of your patients.
Understanding Chronic Pain and Its Impact
Chronic pain is pain that lasts for over three months. There are countless causes of chronic pain, including arthritis, fibromyalgia and cancer. The physical, emotional and economic toll of chronic pain is hard to measure, but one study found that common pain conditions result in lost productivity amounting to $61 billion annually. This happens because chronic pain can stop patients from functioning and instead leave them dealing with the impacts of their pain.
Patients with this condition often struggle with other medical conditions that result from chronic pain. These conditions include depression, anxiety, injuries and obesity. In fact, as many as 85% of patients who suffer from chronic pain are affected by severe depression.
It is important for healthcare facilities to take a multidisciplinary approach to managing chronic pain. Anesthesia plays a key role in this process because anesthesiologists have valuable expertise in pain management.
The Role of Anesthesia Providers in Chronic Pain Management
Anesthesiologists are critical in managing patient pain. Anesthesia providers specialize in pain management techniques that go beyond surgical anesthesia. They are uniquely qualified to administer pain medication and may devise treatment plans.
The role and importance of the anesthesiologist for someone suffering from chronic pain can’t be overstated. Anesthesiologists perform various pain management procedures, including epidurals, nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation. Their expertise in these areas allows them to tailor pain management plans to patient needs. They are trained to consider factors such as the type of pain, patient history and overall health when prescribing pain medications and treatments.
Advanced Techniques and Interventions
Advanced pain management techniques such as spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal drug delivery systems are often life-changing for patients, especially for patients whose pain is resistant to conventional treatments.
The world of pain medication and pain management is ever-evolving, and anesthesiologists must engage in continuous learning. Anesthesiologists who stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and changes in pain management can better meet their patients’ needs. As discoveries are made, anesthesiologists can improve chronic pain management outcomes.
Collaborative Care and Patient-Centered Approaches
To manage chronic pain, anesthesia providers and other healthcare professionals (such as pain specialists, physical therapists and psychologists) must collaborate. By working together, anesthesiologists can offer a holistic, patient-centered care model that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of pain. This can help patients who have experienced debilitating pain and other psychological effects enjoy a more rewarding life.
