Missouri News: A Message from the Missouri Advisory Council on Pain and Symptom Management

May 1, 2009 10:36 am Topics: Pain management

Published in the May 2009 Missouri Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

Pain is the most common reason Americans seek medical attention. In 2005, three of every 10 Missourians reported that pain made it hard to do self-care, work, or recreation during the preceding month.

In 2003, the state legislature established the Missouri Advisory Council on Pain and Symptom Management within the Department of Health and Senior Services. The 19-member council, which includes a pharmacist appointed by the Missouri Board of Pharmacy, reviews guidelines; makes recommendations on acute and chronic pain treat ment that can be integrated into the customary practice of health care professionals; analyzes statutes, rules, and regulations; and examines the needs of targeted populations.

In 2004, a series of town hall meetings were held throughout the state to obtain input from persons experiencing severe or chronic pain and the health care providers who care for them. The majority of individuals identified the lack of health care provider knowledge regarding pain assessment as a primary barrier to proper pain care. Pain is one of the most universally experienced phenomena and yet health care providers practice with many misconceptions about pain. These include a lack of understanding that uncontrolled acute pain increases the risk for developing persistent debilitating pain, a fear of prescribing opioid pain medications despite available guidelines and policies, and a lack of appreciation of the need for interdisciplinary approaches to care.

Many of the individuals provided testimony at the town hall meetings that consumers also lack knowledge regarding optimal pain therapy, as well as a failure to understand the consequences of untreated pain. Patients and families need to be educated and empowered to take a more active role in their care.

The council sponsors speakers for conferences of health professionals and provides links to continuing education opportunities at the following Web site: www.dhss.mo.gov/PainManagement/CEU .html. It has also developed a consumer brochure “Managing Pain Begins With You” that is available at no charge. The brochure may be downloaded or ordering instructions may be obtained from www.dhss .mo.gov/PainManagement/EducationalResources.html.