Building a Repository of Exemplary Pain Management Programs

Duke Presents the First of Four Case Studies on Integrated Pain Management

AACIPM is pleased to share that Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy and Duke Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine have released the first of four case studies emanating from their 2020-21 Roundtable on Integrated Pain Management. Their first case study features the West Virginia University Center for Integrative Pain Management (WVUCIPM), whose exemplary work was previously highlighted by AACIPM during our May 2020 Symposium, Innovation and Progress in Person-Centered Pain Management, and also included within the American Medical Association’s collection of stories on their microsite, End the Epidemic.

The WVUCIPM case study is a more in depth illustration of the details in this program, which was established in May 2017 in response to the state’s growing opioid crisis and in recognition of the need for improved care for residents experiencing chronic pain. The program has been able to achieve high patient satisfaction in maximizing patients’ function and minimizing pain through use of a team which includes physicians and advanced practice providers, chiropractors, social workers, clinical dieticians, movement specialists, and massage therapists. Duke will be releasing the remaining three case studies in the coming months.

Duke’s in-person Roundtable that spurred the creation of this series of case studies took place in February 2020 and included participation from numerous AACIPM leaders and experts. Further background on this Roundtable can be found on Duke’s website and AACIPM’s website, including reflections from AACIPM’s Advisory Committee member, Adam Seidner, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, The Hartford.

Exemplary Clinical Examples – and Unique Characteristics

Many people with pain continue to struggle without adequate options for pain management or access to quality care that is based on current clinical guidance, so it is imperative that we share examples and the business case for these approaches to care. With publication of these case studies, Duke is contributing to the growing repository of clinical examples that showcase an integrated, integrative and interdisciplinary approach to pain care, utilizing a wider array of evidence-based treatment options for people with pain than is often found.

In an article penned by the Duke team last year that was published in NEJM Catalyst, they wrote:

“The Whole Health System model is one example of what is possible for IPM programs. However, health care systems and payers looking to develop and implement IPM programs need exemplars of successful models across a variety of patient populations, reimbursement models, geographic regions, and delivery settings. To this end, we are working with initiatives such as the Alliance to Advance Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management (AACIPM) to identify IPM programs across the US and develop a knowledge base of best practices for program implementation. This resource will supply practical guidance for those organizations needing to develop, implement or sustain IPM programs.”

West Virginia University Center for Integrative Pain Management

Some important characteristics about WVUCIPM are:

• Initiated through strong support of state and organizational leadership.
• Co-location of services.
• Case managers help navigate patients through the WVUCIPM.
• Pain assessment measures adapted through partnership with the Defense and Veterans Center for Integrative Pain Management.

Learn more about WVUCIPM by clicking on the case study button below, and look for additional case studies coming soon!