Federal task force releases report on pain management best practices

A federal task force created by the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 to recommend updates to best practices for managing chronic and acute pain yesterday issued its final report, which calls for an individualized, patient-centered approach. The report addresses five pain treatment categories: medications, restorative therapies, interventional procedures, behavioral health approaches, and complementary and integrative health approaches. It also emphasizes the need to address stigma, risk assessment, access to care and education. “There is a no one-size-fits-all approach when treating and managing patients with painful conditions,” said Vanila Singh, M.D., task force chair and chief medical officer for the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. “Individuals who live with pain are suffering and need compassionate, individualized and effective approaches to improving pain and clinical outcomes.”