Substance Abuse Problems Much of the fear surrounding pain treatment relates to the use of opioids. While pain specialists view the potentially abusable drugs as essential in caring for patients, many drug-addiction specialists and law enforcement officials view them as a major cause of abuse with dire consequences for individuals and society as a whole.
Adjuvant analgesics and nonpharmacological interventions have also been used in treating pain. Adjuvants help and enhance the pharmacological effect of drugs. Although they are not used primarily for pain management, adjuvants have proven to be beneficial in selected circumstances and are now commonly used in treating many malignant and nonmalignant syndromes.
Assessment Accurate patient assessment is essential for the effective management of pain and also plays a critical role in identifying potential abuse problems. The American Pain Society (APS) guidelines set three main goals for pain assessment:
INTRODUCTION The National Medical Association (NMA) is the largest and oldest national organization representing African-American physicians and health professionals in the United States. Established in 1895, the NMA represents more than 25,000 African-American physicians and the patients they serve. Through its membership, professional development, community health education, advocacy, research, and its efforts with federal and [...]
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