Pain Core Curriculum Module 9: A Patient’s Perspective on Empowering Those with Chronic Pain Through Patient-Centered Care-Presentation

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Video Summary

Chris Beasley, co-founder of the Chronic Pain Research Alliance, shares a 30-year patient perspective on empowering those with chronic pain through patient-centered care. He reviews major studies highlighting that chronic pain affects all facets of life, including sleep, mood, function, relationships, and financial stability. Patients express a need for holistic, multidisciplinary approaches emphasizing quality of life rather than pain intensity scores.<br /><br />Beasley details discrepancies between what patients want clinicians to ask—such as coping ability, energy, mood, support systems—and what providers actually assess. He stresses patient-centered care principles: respecting individual preferences, coordinated care, thorough information sharing, emotional support, involving family, continuity, and good access to care. Incorporating pain neuroscience education helps patients understand chronic pain beyond tissue damage, reducing fear and improving outcomes.<br /><br />He urges shared decision-making, focusing on patient-centered functional goals using SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-based) strategies that encourage positive progress rather than focusing on pain severity. Effective, culturally competent communication enhances trust and addresses disparities found in minority populations, who often experience undertreatment and stigma.<br /><br />Conflict between patients and clinicians can be managed through empathy, goal-setting, and mediation when needed. Overall, empowering patients through these approaches leads to improved satisfaction, adherence, and quality of life in chronic pain management. Resources and mentoring programs are available to support clinicians in implementing evidence-based, patient-centered care.

Keywords

chronic pain

patient-centered care

multidisciplinary approach

pain neuroscience education

shared decision-making

culturally competent communication

SMART goals