Can assessing chronic pain outcomes data improve outcomes?

OBJECTIVE: This manuscript reviews how patient-reported outcomes data can be used to guide efforts to improve patient outcomes.

DESIGN: Review Manuscript.

SETTING: The clinical management of chronic, non-cancer pain.

SUBJECTS: Adult patients receiving treatment for chronic, non-cancer pain.

RESULTS: While there have been great advances in the science of pain and various therapeutic medications and interventions, patient outcomes are variable. This manuscript reviews how outcomes data can be used to guide efforts to improve patient outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Patient outcomes can be improved with standardization of the process of patient care, as well as through other quality improvement efforts. The cornerstone to any effort to improve patient outcomes starts with the integration of valid outcomes data collection into ongoing patient care. Outcome measurement tools should provide information on several key domains, yet the process of data collection should not pose a significant burden on either the patient or health care team. Efforts to improve patient outcomes are ongoing, and should be a high priority for every health care team.