Chronic Pain Management

Needs statement
It is estimated that one out of three Americans suffers from some type of chronic pain and yet it remains a misunderstood and undertreated health condition. Chronic pain has been identified as the primary cause of disability in the U.S. (American Chronic Pain Association, 2014).

Course goals
This activity is designed to change health provider attitudes on chronic pain and willingness to offer comprehensive assessment and comprehensive treatment.

Target audience
This independent self study activity is designed for physicians and nursing professionals at all levels and settings in the healthcare industry.

Learning objectives
At the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
-Identify defining characteristics of chronic pain;
-Recognize the impact of chronic pain impacts on individuals, families and U. S. health care;
-Explain rationale for a comprehensive pain assessment;
-Explain rationale for a multi-modal and comprehensive treatment approach to chronic pain;
-Categorize pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment modalities;
-Review available opioid and non-opioid analgesic preparations when considering rationale for treatment;
-Use current evidence to support recommended treatment approaches for common chronic pain conditions and syndromes.

Method of Participation
In order to receive credit, participants should read the entire monograph, complete and submit an evaluation and score at least 70% on the self-assessment test. AKH Inc. allows for one (1) re-test at no additional charge; additional re-tests must be purchased again at the full cost. Statements of Credit will be available upon successful completion of the self-assessment test. If you have questions about this CME/CE activity, please contact AKH Inc. at service@akhcme.com.

Disclosure Declaration
It is the policy of AKH Inc. to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in all of its continuing education activities. The faculty must disclose to the participants any significant relationships with commercial interests whose products or devices may be mentioned in the activity or with the commercial supporter of this continuing education activity. Identified conflict of interest is resolved by AKH prior to accreditation of the activity. AKH planners and reviewers have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use and Investigational Products
This educational activity does not include discussion of uses of agents that are investigational and/or unapproved by the FDA. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer
AKH Inc.ís activities are designed solely to provide healthcare professionals with information to assist in their practice and professional development. The activities are researched thoroughly, utilizing current literature and including practical experiences. AKHís activities are not to be considered a diagnostic tool to replace professional advice or treatment. The activities serve as a general guide to the healthcare professional, and therefore, they cannot be considered as giving legal, nursing, medical, or other professional advice in specific cases. AKH educational activities do not endorse commercial products. The author(s) and the publisher specifically disclaim responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the activities. AKH further disclaims any responsibility for undetected errors, or from the readerís misunderstanding of the activity.

Copyright © 2014 AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare No part of this publication may be produced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.