Interventional spine specialist Dustin Cole, MD, of Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, Colo., discusses the benefits of a multimodial approach to pain management and pain specialists' role in spine care.
Question: How can pain specialists be leaders in spine care?
Dr. Dustin Cole: Pain specialists are uniquely positioned to deliver outstanding spine care by best understanding the specific mechanisms of spine pain and pain in general. Pain specialists are well versed in the wide variety of medical, surgical, therapeutic, interventional treatment options and able to tailor these appropriately to the patient.
Q: What are the two greatest challenges providers face?
DC: Lack of available resources — behavioral health services to best treat patients in a comprehensive manner.
Dearth of high quality medical studies to support/refute interventional procedures.
Q: Do you support a multimodal approach for pain management? What are some of the primary benefits & concerns associated with this approach?
DC: I absolutely support a multimodal approach for pain management. The benefits are clear. Multimodal treatment including therapy, medications, injections, surgery, complimentary/alternative medicine and behavioral health results in better function and reduction in pain. Primary concerns center around access for patients to some of these services.
Q: What does the future hold for pain management? How do you see the field evolving?
DC: Pain management practices need to better capture and report prevention/treatment/outcomes data to be well positioned for success in a value-based care environment.
Learn more from Dr. Cole at the 15th Annual Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine in June 2017! Click here for more information.
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