PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is among the more common sources of chronic pain. Risk factors for OA include age >50 years and obesity. Accordingly, OA prevalence is increasing. As you’ll learn in this case, evidence-based guidelines recommend both therapeutic lifestyle changes and medical management to alleviate the diminished function and loss of quality of life associated with the chronic pain of OA.
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
Primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants
ACTIVITY OBJECTIVES:
After taking part in this educational activity, participants should be better able to:
— Use validated screening tools to assess patients for chronic pain and response to treatment.
— Evaluate the benefits and risks of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment options for chronic pain as they apply to each individual.
— Apply knowledge of pain pathways when making diagnostic and management decisions regarding patients with chronic pain.
— Adopt communication strategies that promote patient satisfaction and adherence among patients with chronic pain.
Faculty:
Bill H. McCarberg, MD
Founder, Chronic Pain Management Program
Kaiser-Permanente, San Diego
Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor
University of California, San Diego
Bruce D. Nicholson, MD
Director, Pain Specialists of Greater Lehigh Valley
Medical Director, Division of Pain Management
Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network
Allentown, PA
Clinical Associate Professor
Penn State College of Medicine
Hershey, PA
