How can you measure the effectiveness of pain management therapies? What changes will virtual care bring to pain management? This 60-minute virtual symposium will highlight how research and virtual care, are evolving how Veterans manage chronic pain. Speakers will be available to answer audience questions live at the end of each presentation.
This presentation will begin with Chester “Trip” Buckenmaier III, MD, discussing how pain management within DOD has evolved to a biopsychosocial approach throughout the 21st century. This evolution has featured an evidence-based move towards a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, multi-modal and holistic pain management system. Dr. Buckenmaier will cover the emphasis now placed on improving function and quality of life through pain management therapy as part of his presentation.
The coronavirus disease sent shockwaves through the medical community. All patients, including Veterans with chronic pain, found themselves facing increased barriers to access care. Pain management clinics across the country, including CHANGEpain in Vancouver, BC, piloted and introduced virtual programs to provide care for Veterans. Working with Dr. Lau, founder and Medical Director of CHANGEpain, and our network of clinics across the country, the Centre of Excellence initiated a project to research how effective virtual care for chronic pain really was for Veterans across the country. Dr. Lau will present on some of the challenges and opportunities identified to date.