As reported by the National Hemophilia Foundation, researchers are seeking to understand what patients with chronic pain need and want, so as to make treatment safer and more effective. In 2012, Americans were prescribed 259 million opioid pain medications, with rates of prescription steadily climbing over the 21st century. Researchers are hoping to find a way to tackle chronic pain, while avoiding the potential risks of opioid use, with the widespread addiction considered a modern epidemic. The CDC hopes to create better guidelines for prescribing these medications, and to present alternatives that have also been shown to be effective at limiting pain and increasing mobility.
In an effort to create a coherent review of pain management options, the CDC is expanding upon their 2016 project CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. In their 2016 report, they wrote,
“It is important that patients receive appropriate pain treatment with careful consideration of the benefits and risks of treatment options. This guideline is intended to improve communication between clinicians and patients about the risks and benefits of opioid therapy for chronic pain, improve the safety and effectiveness of pain treatment, and reduce the risks associated with long-term opioid therapy, including opioid use disorder, overdose, and death. “
Now, the researchers are increasingly including the patient perspective in order to create treatments tailored to their preferences. They are gathering information directly from those who live with chronic pain, those who take care of them, and healthcare providers, through interviews to find out what they value in searching for treatments, and preferences when it comes to available options.
The survey will ask patients and family members about their prior experience with different treatments for the pain including opioids, other medications, or non-medicine based help such as exercises, therapies, meditation, and other diverse resources.
According to the National Hemophilia Foundation, Dr. Leonard Valentino, president and CEO of the National Hemophilia Foundation, said,“Many in the bleeding disorders community live with chronic pain. It’s important that their perspectives – and the perspectives of our providers – are included in these conversations, especially when the outcomes could have an effect on how they manage pain in the future.”
The interviews will be conducted on the telephone or online, and take about an hour or less. The deadline is on August 21st, 2020. Interested in participating? Click here to learn more.
