Chronic, Noncancer Pain Care in the Veterans Administration: Current Trends and Future Directions

Anesthesiol Clin. 2023 Jun;41(2):519-529. doi: 10.1016/j.anclin.2023.02.004. Epub 2023 Mar 15.

Abstract

The Veterans Health Administration has always been a leader in the innovation and implementation of evidence-based care. The use of the stepped care model of chronic pain has led to several novel interventions and strong practices in the last several years at each level of care with regard to education, use of technology, and increasing access to evidence-based care (eg, behavioral health, interdisciplinary teams). The Whole Health model is also being implemented nationwide and has the potential to significantly affect chronic pain treatment in the coming decade.

Keywords: Chronic pain; Complementary and integrative health; Implementation; Interdisciplinary; Pain education; Stepped care model; Veteran; Whole health.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Pain* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Pain Management
  • United States
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Veterans*