Activity Overview

Persistent pain is a common problem of the older patient. As the older population steadily grows, pain management is poised to become an increasingly vital facet of healthcare. Clinicians are faced with several challenges in treating the aging and older patient, in whom pain is more likely to be inadequately assessed and undertreated. Older individuals, because of numerous comorbidities,
on average also take multiple medications, increasing the potential for medication errors, drug-drug interactions, and increased
adverse effects. In addition, many older patients with chronic pain experience depression and anxiety, further complicating optimal pain management, functionality, and general quality of life. Added to this mix are such other concerns and obstacles as the myth that pain is a natural part of aging and that many older patients experience increased sensory and cognitive impairments. Another complication is the unjustified and irrational fear, both on the part of healthcare providers and patients, of using opioid analgesics, which are among the most effective therapeutic agents in managing various chronic and persistent pain disorders, because of the possibility of misuse and addiction to these drugs.

The National Initiative on Pain Control® (NIPC®), with the help of nationally recognized experts in the field of pain management, has designed an activity that will help busy healthcare professionals manage their older patients with persistent pain safely and effectively.

Learning Objectives:

After completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

About the National Initiative on Pain Control® (NIPC®)

More than half of all Americans suffer from chronic pain or recurrent pain. Physicians are faced with finding safe and effective methods to provide optimal pain relief for their patients on a daily basis. What is of special concern is that less than optimal training of physicians in pain disorders has led to the underassessment and undertreatment of patients who are living with pain.

The National Initiative on Pain Control® (NIPC®) is an integrated CME education initiative that was established in 2001 by Professional Postgraduate Services® to help physicians improve outcomes of their patients who have pain. The NIPC offers, through various educational modalities, innovative, interactive, and practical educational tools and activities that support the Initiative’s educational goals.

All NIPC activities are developed and continuously evaluated by the NIPC Education Council, an expert, nationally respected multidisciplinary team of pain management specialists, researchers, and practicing physicians.

The NIPC activities highlight the magnitude of the pain management problem, provide guidance in pain assessment, and offer proven strategies for treatment—all with the aim of improving patient outcomes.

Examples of NIPC activity formats:

Examples of Enduring Materials:

Examples of content areas:

For information about the NIPC®: Email us at nipc@ppscme.com or call us at 1 (800) 223-8978.