Promoting an interprofessional approach to chronic pain management in primary care using Project ECHO.

Promoting an interprofessional approach to chronic pain management in primary care using Project ECHO. J Interprof Care. 2020 Mar 09;:1-4 Authors: Hassan S, Carlin L, Zhao J, Taenzer P, Furlan AD Abstract Chronic pain is a complex multidimensional condition that requires management with multiple professions' expertise. Healthcare training programs tend to adhere to curricula within their own profession with very few interactions with other groups. Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Chronic Pain and Opioid Stewardship is a model for interprofessional education, using tele-mentoring, case-base discussions and clinically focused presentations. The goal is to improve competency and confidence in managing complex cases in primary care. This qualitative study engaged twenty healthcare practitioners from multiple professions who had participated in ECHO in focus group discussions about managing patients with chronic pain, about their reasons for and the effect of participating in Project ECHO Ontario Chronic Pain/Opioid Stewardship, and about their perspectives on interprofessional care. The results show that participating in ECHO resulted in personal and professional benefit, and increased understanding about their own roles and limitations, as well as other healthcare professionals' roles. The participants described changes in their attitudes toward patients with chronic pain, and their colleagues from other profes...
Source: Journal of Interprofessional Care - Category: Health Management Tags: J Interprof Care Source Type: research