Open AccessThe Evolution and Practice of Acute Pain Medicine
Author(s) -
Upp Justin,
Kent Michael,
Tighe Patrick J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
pain medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.893
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1526-4637
pISSN - 1526-2375
DOI - 10.1111/pme.12015
Subject(s) - biopsychosocial model , acute pain , medicine , intervention (counseling) , chronic pain , intensive care medicine , disease , pain medicine , physical therapy , nursing , psychiatry , anesthesia , pathology , anesthesiology
Background. In recent years, the field of acute pain medicine ( APM ) has witnessed a surge in its development, and pain has begun to be recognized not merely as a symptom, but as an actual disease process. This development warrants increased education of residents both in the performance of regional anesthesia as well as in the disease course of acute pain and the biopsychosocial mechanisms that define interindividual variability. Review Summary. We reviewed the organization and function of the modern APM program. Following a discussion of the nomenclature of acute pain‐related practices, we discuss the historical evolution and modern role of APM teams, including the use of traditional, as well as complementary and alternative, therapies for treating acute pain. Staffing and equipment requirements are also evaluated, in addition to the training requirements for achieving expertise in APM . Lastly, we briefly explore future considerations related to the essential role and development of APM . Conclusion. The scope and practice of APM must be expanded to include pre‐pain/pre‐intervention risk stratification and extended through the phase of subacute pain.