Perspectives in Intractable Pain Management: An analysis of current divering viewpoints

As intractable pain management remains a low priority in healthcare, so does it remain a low priority in healthcare reimbursement.^1,2 In the United States, many intractable pain patients are not able to comply with their intractable pain treatment because they don’t have the appropriate healthcare coverage to pay for their medication or equipment.

The United States is one of few developed countries that does not provide healthcare coverage for its citizens³; therefore, economic status ultimately determines the quality of care that patients receive.⁴The following pattern has developed between patients’ economic status and the quality healthcare that is readily available to them:

Reference List

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Joranson DE, Cleeland CS, Weissman DH, Gilson AM. Opioids for chronic cancer and non-cancer pain: a survey of medical board members. Fed Bull. 1992;79(4):15-49.
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Saper J. Bills Would Help Manage Pain. 1997. Available at: http://www.ring.com/nprofit/lifespan/saper.htm
Angarola RT, Joranson DE. Healthcare reimbursement policies: do they block acute and cancer pain management? APS Bulletin. 1994;4(5):7-9. Available at: http://www.biostat.wisc.edu/painpolicy/publicat/94apshr.htm
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Back to Table of Contents

Introduction
Definitions and Background Information
Governments' and State Medical Boards' Perspective
Healthcare Professionals’ Perspective
Patients’ Perspective
The Healthcare Reimbursement System’s Perspective
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