• Alexis M Rojas, Phillip R Worts, and Gilbert S Chandler Iii.
• Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic, Tallahassee, FL.
• Pain Physician. 2021 Dec 1; 24 (8): E1299-E1306.

BackgroundThe role of psychological factors influencing chronic pain is well documented, although less is known about the implication and logistics of conducting behavioral and psychological assessments in clinical practice, specifically within pain management.ObjectivesTo identify the feasibility and clinical utility of assessing behavioral and psychological risk factors in pain management, as well as documenting the challenges and opportunities of integrating multidisciplinary care into a pain management practice.Study DesignA convenience sample of pain management patients was prospectively recruited from a private, multispecialty orthopedic clinic in Tallahassee, Florida. All patients reported experiencing chronic pain (i.e., greater than 3 months).MethodsPatients were approached before their initial clinical interaction at the pain management clinic. Approximately one year following their initial appointment, medical records were reviewed to determine the patients' responses to treatment and subsequent management of their ailments.ResultsFindings from the pilot study suggest that the behavioral and psychological assessments identified much higher rates of depression and suicidal ideations and lower resilience within the sample than in previously published US rates. The median time to complete the consent and battery was 30.2 minutes [interquartile range: 21]. This suggests that a shortened battery appears feasible in a pain management practice and could offer benefit by identifying factors that are known to impact clinical care.LimitationsThis study is limited in sample size, restricting generalizability. The incomplete follow-up survey data and cross-sectional nature of the study are also limitations.ConclusionsThe utility and feasibility of psychological and behavioral health assessments appear to be a critical component of a pain management practice as there is substantial overlap with psychological comorbidities (e.g., depression and anxiety) and chronic pain. Positive affect, such as resilience, may act to confer some protection against the sequelae of chronic pain, and identifying such factors appears vital.

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