What Do Primary Care Providers and Nurses Need to Know About Managing Chronic Pain? (Abstract)

What Do Primary Care Providers and Nurses Need to Know About Managing Chronic Pain?

Pain Manag Nurs
25 January 2021
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33509662/

Pain is the leading reason Americans seek health care access. Worldwide, more than 1.5 billion people are suffering from chronic pain. Unfortunately, providers are not equipped to manage patients with chronic pain as many advanced programs provide little to no education on pain management. Additionally, there are limited research articles on managing chronic pain, let alone regarding alternative treatment options for chronic pain. The patient presented in this case study is a 66-year-old woman who presents for a follow up regarding chronic pain. The case study outlines the success a patient found using alternative options other than opioid medication with lifestyle changes and a newer medication called low-dose Naltrexone (LDN). The purpose of this case study is to present a patient who has found success in managing chronic pain through alternative treatments and help the provider be able to educate patients on the importance of lifestyle changes to increase the prescribing and compliance of alternative treatment options.