| This study examined data obtained from a nationwide survey of multidisciplinary pain clinics. The purposes of the survey were to determine the components most often incorporated in a multidisciplinary approach to pain management and to establish which of the available formal assessments were used in assessing program outcomes by most multidisciplinary pain clinics. The results would then be the basis for program improvement recommendations for the Auburn Pain Rehabilitation Medical Clinic.; There were 51 multidisciplinary pain clinics in 27 states that responded to the survey. Common program components in use in a multidisciplinary pain management setting emerged from the examination of data. Psychological services were utilized by 98% of the multidisciplinary pain clinics who responded to the survey, physical therapy was utilized by 94%, and medication management was utilized by 92%. These top three program components of pain management correspond to the top three outcomes that pain clinics reported they assessed for; these outcome areas include function (94%), depression (90%), and level of pain (82%).; The analysis of data did not support the hypothesis that there would be a selection of assessments most commonly used by pain clinics across the United States during the treatment of chronic pain. However, the analysis did support the literature, which indicated widespread inconsistencies among pain management programs in the assessment of outcomes, as well as an abundance of nonstandardized methods of treatment modalities across the field of pain management. The implications of the survey data for the management of chronic pain and recommendations for further research were discussed. |
