The Cleveland Clinic Pain Management Department takes an interdisciplinary team approach to the evaluation and treatment of your pain.
The center is directed by anesthesiologists who are board-certified in pain management in the Anesthesiology Institute. We are closely linked with the departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, the Taussig Cancer Center and the Spine Center.
The team includes:
- Pain management physicians
- Specially trained nurses and nurse clinicians
- Psychologists
- Occupational and physical therapists
- Acupuncturists
- Financial counselor to answer insurance coverage questions
- Social Services professionals
The Pain Management Department has grown to meet the demands of the patient population and the entire healthcare environment. According to a recent national comparative analysis conducted by our department, only about one-third of hospitals across the nation were found to maintain pain management programs. Only a small percentage of these programs offer the comprehensive approach delivered by the clinical staff at Cleveland Clinic. In a 2002 study, The National Health Care advisory board concurred that only 36 percent of hospitals nationally maintain pain programs. The advisory board has identified four factors that have propelled pain management to the forefront of hospital agendas.
Trends in pain management:
- Modern technology has given us more surgery survivors and a larger elderly population over the last 10 years. The advent of procedures such as the IDET (intradiscal electrothermal therapy), spinal cord stimulation and kyphoplasty have proven to enhance the lives of those suffering from chronic pain.
- Acceptance of alternative therapies has risen in mainstream medicine. The Cleveland Clinic Pain Management Department recognizes this and added acupuncturist Tim Rhudy to the staff at the main campus and Hong Shen, M.D., to the Hillcrest Hospital location.
- Heightened awareness of palliative care brought about the development of the Cancer Pain Clinic located in the Taussig Cancer Center.
- Increased physician interest and the identification of reimbursement issues have driven anesthesiologists to identify the need to develop these programs and keep solvent.
In addition to the four factors identified by the National Health Care Advisory, federal, regional and local legislation has influenced the need for pain management services as an alternative to the Kevorkian-assisted suicide treatment plan. The mandate from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations to address pain management throughout the healthcare organization has driven the education and implementation phase of pain management throughout the country.
According to an article in the Los Angeles Times (Marsa, 8/2/01), several barriers to effective pain management still exist. The managed care industry has been slow to recognize the substantial cost effectiveness of a pain management program. Challenges imposed by Medicare remain a barrier as well. Despite these barriers, the pain management program remains one of the most solvent departments at Cleveland Clinic. Successful outcomes and profound patient testimonials speak for themselves. According to Nagy Mekhail, M.D., department chairman for Pain Management, the Department of Pain Management had more than 45,000 patient visits.
While these are challenging times for pain management centers across the country, the Pain Management department at Cleveland Clinic continues to grow and flourish. Dr Mekhail identifies one of the hallmarks of its success to the team concept of treating patients through a multidisciplinary approach. Dr. Mekhail also says that "enhancing the education efforts by conducting both an annual pain management conference for both physicians and nurses and delivering a personalized, individual approach to the treatment of pain management have brought about some of the medical miracles we are seeing daily."
Patients will benefit from the Cleveland Clinic's group practice approach to care, with more than 750 physicians in 100 specialties and subspecialties available for consultation, if needed.
