When it comes to complex pain cases, comprehensive care management is the key to helping injured workers achieve long-term success. Without a coordinated, outcome-oriented approach, providers and care managers are unlikely to stabilize the injured worker’s condition or the claim. So what does it take to stop the cycle of pain?

In order to achieve better results in complex pain cases, it’s important to identify any red flags such as complications, high costs and side effects. Here are five strategic tips for effective pain management:

• Confirm the Diagnosis: The first step in complex pain case management is ensuring that there is an objective confirmation of the diagnosis. This must happen before approving any treatment request.
• Treatment Plan: Next, review the proposed care plan to ensure each treatment is effective at resolving the specific diagnosis.
• Facilitate Treatment: Work with the treating physician to ensure the care plan is followed and adjusted as needed. All treatments should be a directed at the validated diagnosis and have a track record of success.
• Alternative Strategy: Some injured workers are not legitimate candidates for specific procedures because of their diagnosis. When this happens, it’s important to develop alternative forms of treatment.
• Define and Measure Outcomes: Finally, having a clear roadmap of specific and achievable goals will help the injured worker understand his or her role in the recovery process and increase participation.

By creating an objective, meaningful and durable outcome, we can help stop the cycle of pain for injured workers. All parties should be focused on restoring function and reducing the need for medical interventions.

Complex pain is a whole-person problem, and that’s why Paradigm takes a biopsychosocial approach to pain management. Paradigm’s specialized clinical teams and Systematic Care Management^SM methodology help injured workers make real improvement over manageable timeframes. To learn more about our solutions, visit our website.