Opioid therapy for chronic pain
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Management of Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain Working Group. VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for management of opioid therapy for chronic pain. Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense (DO NOT EDIT) [1]
Recommendations for assessment of patients with chronic pain(DO NOT EDIT) [1]
"1. A trial of opioid therapy (OT) is indicated for a patient with chronic pain who meets all of the following criteria:
Moderate to severe pain that has failed to adequately respond to indicated non-opioid and non-drug therapeutic interventions The potential benefits of OT are likely to outweigh the risks (i.e., no absolute contraindications) The patient is fully informed and consents to the therapy Clear and measurable treatment goals are established " |
"2. The ethical imperative is to provide the pain treatment with the best benefit-to-harm profile for the individual patient." |