The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pain Management Inter-Agency Task Force Emphasizes Patient-Centered Care in its Draft Report

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service Pain Management Best Practice Inter-Agency Task Force released its draft report for public comment before finalizing it and reporting to the U.S. Congress. The draft report calls for patient-centered pain care that is interdisciplinary, integrated, and individualized. It identifies and updates clinical guidelines and best practices and makes recommendations to address gaps and inconsistencies in pain management. The recommendations are comprehensive, addressing critical issues about pain education, research, and patient care. Implementation of the recommendations is expected to have a fundamental impact in advancing pain care in the U.S. while mitigating the opioid epidemic that has been national crisis.