Interdisciplinary Education Involving Chronic Pain Management: The Way Forward

Abstract

Through evidence-based research and practice, interdisciplinary/interprofessional pain management is becoming the leading treatment structure for patients suffering with chronic pain conditions. Interdisciplinary assessment and management of patients incorporate different healthcare disciplines working together under ‘one roof’ to manage their patients in a collaborative and team-based manner. As such, understanding how to work within an interdisciplinary framework, entails educational resources to pass on the knowledge surrounding interprofessional clinical work. There are numerous philosophies and theories underlying why and how interdisciplinary education should be administered in addition to the reasons why these approaches appear to be of benefit. Ultimately, with reference to chronic pain management, interdisciplinary education combining students from different healthcare fields in one class is suggested to enhance the learning experience and ultimate goal of eventually providing their patients` with the best possible pain outcomes following intervention.