Information for Professionals

Pain Management Pocket Tools
Pain Resource Guide

Boards of Registration in Massachusetts
Policy Statements and Rulings

MassPI worked closely with the Massachusetts Division of Health Professions Licensure to bring these Policy Rulings to fruition in 2009. Click on the above rulings which affect  thousands of healthcare professional licensees across the state. The Massachusetts Division of Health Professions Licensure has taken the unprecedented milestone step of adopting all four Board policies to focus attention on the hidden epidemic of pain which adversely affects thousands of Massachusetts citizens and has serious physiological, psychological, social and economic consequences.

Pain Management Pocket Tools
MassPI Education Council, along with national pain experts, have developed pocket tools for healthcare professionals. The first tool was printed in September 2004 and is periodically updated. View pdf here. You may request 5 tools mailed to you at no charge by emailing info@masspaininitiative.org. To receive more than five, the cost is $1 a tool. After purchasing 100, the cost per tool decreases significantly. See pricing information and how to order pocket tools by clicking here.

Tools for Screening for and Assessing Pain
Many published reliable and valid tools, including rating scales, diaries and comprehensive pain assessment tools exist. A variety of different tools may be used to identify and assess pain and/or behavior changes in individuals who are cognitively intact, people who are cognitively impaired, those who are acutely ill in intensive care and other health care settings. Guidelines for improving pain assessment and management recommend that organizations select specific tools that are age and developmentally appropriate for the populations served. These tools should be used by all providers in the organization to screen for pain routinely and assess pain when pain is reported or suspected. The Pain Resource Center at the City of Hope Medical Center provides copies of many tools as well as information regarding selecting an appropriate tool. Access this resource at http://prc.coh.org/default.asp

 

Pain Practice Change Program:
The Massachusetts Pain Initiative is not currently offering the Pain Practice Change Program. Check back periodically for updates and consider contacting us about arranging an education session from our MassPI Pain Resource and Education Programs (MassPI PREP programs).

 

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used by persons with pain as they try to find effective relief.  Although research results are mixed, some treatment modalities may beeffective for people with pain.  While many of these therapies are still not well understood, there is a growing body of literature about specific CAM modalities, which include the broad definitions below.  Many of the specific treatment modalities fit under multiple CAM as defined below, depending on how the person with pain is using them.

  • Complementary medicine is used in addition to conventional medicine

  • Alternative medicineis used in place of conventional medicine

  • Integrative (or integrated) medicine combines both conventional and CAM treatments.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) was established by Congress in late 1998.  It is the Government's lead agency for scientific research on CAM and is 1 of 27 centers that make up the National Institute of Health (NIH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  NCCAM has information on research results and clinical practice guidelines, based on the best evidence-based medicine currently available.

Additional information about CAM therapy modalities and what is now known about their effectiveness in treating pain can be found at the NCCAM web health care provider site at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/providers.  Information includes clinical practice guidelines for many medical specialties, free continuing education CME/CEU video lectures, other CAM-related resources for health care providers, as well as resources you can recommend for your patients.  Additional information on chronic pain and CAM can be found at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/pain/chronic.htm or call toll-free 1-888-644-6226 for more information.


 


 

Posted: Thu, Feb 25, 2010 03:10 PM
Updated Tue, Nov 20, 2012 12:00 AM