Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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The aim of this study was to compare adherence to opioid prescribing guidelines and potential opioid misuse in patients of resident vs attending physicians. ⋯ With some variability, residents and attending physicians were only partly compliant with national guidelines. Residents were more likely to manage patients with a higher likelihood of opioid misuse.
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Individuals seeking treatment for chronic pain in multidisciplinary pain management services are typically already on high doses of pain medications. This cross-sectional cohort study of patients with long-term chronic pain examined profiles of polypharmacy and pain medication-related harm exposure. ⋯ While treatment with multiple medications for synergistic or adjunctive effects may assist in medical management of chronic pain, this approach generates increased potential harm exposure. We show that the majority of detriment comes from medications other than opioids and highlight the importance of profiling all pain medications contributing to polypharmacy in clinical pain studies.
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At present, the potential benefits of psychologically oriented approaches to pain management for patients waiting to undergo medical interventions, such as neuromodulation, remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the results of an interdisciplinary treatment based on principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) delivered to a group of patients being considered for a neuromodulation procedure. ⋯ People seeking medical interventions to reduce pain appear able to benefit from an interdisciplinary treatment aimed to improve daily functioning and mental health through increased psychological flexibility.