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Pain University (Pain U)

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Pain University is a multi-discipline program created with one goal in mind: To help our Veterans with persistent pain.

A framework built on three supporting pillars: Patient Education, Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Veteran Feedback, Pain University expands traditional persistent pain care by recognizing the need for education, paced activity and supportive clinician follow up.

Pain University is constantly evolving to ensure quality care for Veterans. As a response to COVID 19, Pain University programming has morphed from a group platform to an individual program. This allows greater focus on the Veteran's individual story and gives the option to complete treatment through telehealth.

This innovation is scaling widely with the support of national stakeholders. See more scaling innovations.

Origin:

January 2014, Tomah VA Medical Center

Adoptions:

5 successful, 2 in-progress

Awards and Recognition:

Diffusion of Excellence Promising Practice, VHA Shark Tank Winner

Partners:

Diffusion of Excellence

Tags:

COVID-19 Inpatient Care Outpatient Care Telehealth
Contact Team

Overview

Problem

50% of Veterans deal with some sort of persistent pain. Currently, persistent pain costs the medical system in the United States billions of dollars per year between care and lost work due to illness. Despite this, persistent pain rates continue to rise.

Solution

Pain University is a comprehensive persistent pain management program for Veterans that educates and empowers Veterans to self manage their pain.

Though its core courses offer a standardized platform for each facility, Pain University offers courses that are adaptable based on the needs and availability at each facility, which range from basic pain manage ... See more

Results

Overall facility opioid reduction since program creation
-92.9% improved function among Veterans enrolled in the program
-78.5% reduced pain among Veterans enrolled in the program

Diffusion tracker

Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)

Statuses

IA: Des Moines VA Medical Center (Des Moines, Iowa) IL: Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (North Chicago)
  • Started adoption on 10/2017.
MI: John D. Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Detroit) MI: Oscar G. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility (Iron Mountain) MN: Minneapolis VA Medical Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

CT: Winsted VA Clinic (Winsted) PA: Coatesville VA Medical Center (Coatesville)

There are no unsuccessful adoptions for this innovation.

Implementation

Timeline

  • Month 1
    Identify Facility Champion
    Develop an Action Plan for Implementation
    Engage Appropriate Stakeholders
  • Month 1
    Assemble a Core Team
    Identify an Elective Team
    Ensure Competency and Instructor Training Needs
  • Month 1-6
    Perform Outreach Efforts
  • Month 2
    Connect with Local Teams
    Set Up Clinic Infrastructure
  • Month 2-4
    Identify Course Offerings
    Create Course Materials
    Determine Course Logistics
  • Month 5
    Go Live
  • Month 6
    Analyze Data
    Evaluate Impact and Iterate
    Plan for Sustainment

Departments

  • Billing
  • Marketing
  • Pharmacy
  • Geriatrics
  • Administration
  • Education and training
  • Building management
  • Psychology
  • Telehealth
  • Information technology
  • Patient services
  • Medical records
  • Information management
  • Physical therapy, occupational therapy and kinesiothology
  • Primary care
  • Nutrition, food, and dietary

Core Resources

Files

Risks and mitigations

Risk Mitigation
Poor Turn Out/High Missed Opportunity Rate Ensure MSA Training. Complete Reminder Calls. Ensure competent and correct information is provided to the Veteran pre program.
Completing Facility Programs Ensure interdisciplinary collaboration. Set up meetings with different departments. Develop champions in different departments.
Lack of Clinician Instructor Competence with Program Curriculum Ensure all staff have the education and training needed to provide adequate instruction to Veterans.

Contact

Comment

Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.

VA User (Social Worker/Case Manager) posted

VA Southern Oregon Chronic Pain & Wellness Team (CPWT) is currently adopting this.

Email

Email with questions about this innovation.

About

Origin story

The origination of Pain University is not a complex story. Four Physical Therapists were frustrated by their lack of ability to effectively treat and assist Veterans dealing with persistent pain. From what started as a simple two class program, the staff's hard work and grassroots effort quickly spring boarded Pain University into the robust, multifaceted ... The origination of Pain University is not a complex story. Four Physical Therapists were frustrated by their lack of ability to effectively treat and assist Veterans dealing with persistent pain. From what started as a simple two class program, the staff's hard work and grassroots effort quickly spring boarded Pain University into the robust, multifaceted, interdisciplinary program it is today.

Original team

Amanda Roberge, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Instructor

Dr. Wes Kurszewski, PT, DPT

Clinician Instructor

Kelly Joyce, PT, MSPT

Clinician Instructor

Dr. Bradley Schaack, PT, DPT

Clinician Instructor

Erin Hebrink, OTR

Clinical Instructor

Dr. Bradley Zupancich, DC

Clinical Instructor

Dr. Debbie Phelps, PT, DPT

Clinical Instructor

Search tags

COVID-19 Inpatient Care Outpatient Care Telehealth