(144) The Xm2 Pain Management Profile for Systematically Assessing Use of Pain Management Strategies from Multiple Domains: Example Profiles for Individuals with Chronic Pain

Management of chronic pain can require the use of many strategies from multiple domains. When so many strategies from multiple domains are being used, conducting a systematic assessment is difficult. This study describes the development of a pain management profile and illustrates its use with example profiles representing patients using a variety of strategies. The pain management profile was developed by modifying the framework used by Widerstrom-Noga and Turk 1 and the universal scoring procedure (i.e. scores are on a single numeric scale regardless of original scale) developed by Robinson-Papp et al. 2 Example profiles were developed using data collected from an online survey of the types of multi-domain strategies used by pharmacists who had chronic pain. Xm 2 profiles organize management strategies into five domains: medications, medical, physical, psychological, and self-initiated strategies. Specific strategies (e.g. naproxen, rest) used are listed for each domain with a score indicating their associated level of use. The number of strategies reported ranged from two to 24 and the level of use score ranged from two to 72. Example profiles were developed for an individual with average scores who used opioids and an individual who did not use opioids, and for individuals in the lowest and highest 25% level of use. The use of a framework and universal score for level of use resulted in a profile that clearly identified the types of pain management strategies being used from all five domains with level of use. Such a profile could be developed for any individual with pain and may be helpful clinically to identify the most appropriate types and level of use of pain management strategies. (1. Widerstrom-Noga, Spinal Cord, 2003; 2. Robinson-Papp, J Pain Sym Man, 2005).