Helping Patients Cope
Express Learner-In this module, you will read the overview, watch a brief "how to explain pain" video and review the "Get on the Road to Recovery", "Persistent Gain Wheel", "CAM Options for Pain" and "CBT to Reduce" infographics.
Expert Learner-In addition, watch two additional videos on how to introduce exercise for improved pain control and a meditation primer. There are also additional resources and links.
Overview
Chronic Pain and How to Help
- Many patients have unreasonable expectations that pain medication will ease ALL of their sufferings.
- Medication will only help with about 25-30% pain relief.
- A holistic body and mind approach is required.
- Many patients do not consider how things like poor sleep, nutrition, lack of exercise, or untreated depression/anxiety can contribute to compounding pain symptoms.
- Opioids can also cause hypersensitivity to pain and can stop working after a short period of time.
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Opioids can help manage pain in the short term, however not enough evidence exists about the benefits of long-term opioid use
Learn how to talk to your patients about chronic pain using a holistic approach
- Watch the short video below for useful analogy in communicating alternative options for pain management
Running time 2:02 minutes
Link Links to an external site.
Review and Utilize Specially Designed Patient Communication Tool
- This tool assists patients to think through a menu of choices and illustrates the point that pain medication is only one part of the whole equation.
Get on The Road to Recovery Aimee Techau 2017.pdf Download Get on The Road to Recovery Aimee Techau 2017.pdf
Review the Persistent Pain Wheel vs. Persistent Gain Wheel
- Utilize this tool to help communicate the difference between a persistent pain cycle vs. persistent gain cycle
Choosing your Wheels-Persistent Gain Wheel-Patient Handout .pdf Download Choosing your Wheels-Persistent Gain Wheel-Patient Handout .pdf
Learn Basic CBT Skills
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a top recommended treatment for chronic pain offering an astounding 30-50% reduction in pain intensity.
- Print this short CBT exercise that you can do with all your patients experiencing pain.
CBT in Three Simple Steps 2017 AACN-NIDA.pdf Download CBT in Three Simple Steps 2017 AACN-NIDA.pdf
- Use Unhelpful Thinking Style Worksheet to Facilitate the Conversation
unhelpful-thinking-styles-free-en-us.pdf Download unhelpful-thinking-styles-free-en-us.pdf
View the CAM infographic
- Specially created to discuss non-pharmacological and complementary alternative methods for pain. Research sourced from the NIH website.
Complementary_Alternative_Approaches_to_Pain 2017.pdf Download Complementary_Alternative_Approaches_to_Pain 2017.pdf-PLEASE CLICK HERE 3 Pages
Expert Path-Optional
S.O.A.R. Conversation on Introducing Exercise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fQTJiSz8K4 Links to an external site.
Meditation Primer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqUQv0DfARg Links to an external site.
Additional Resources
PAIN-EDU Site for Provider Training on Pain-Topics -EXCELLENT
https://www.painedu.org/index.asp Links to an external site.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/pain/professional Links to an external site.
American Chronic Pain Association -Helpful patient site with pain tracking tools, tips, and support groups.
https://theacpa.org/ Links to an external site.