This grant develops and tests a clinical decision support (CDS) tool to help primary care clinicians work with their patients to choose a pain treatment approach that best balances the potential risks and benefits for the individual patient.
What is the research about?
The research team is providing tailored implementation support for primary care clinics to use an existing interoperable CDS tool (Pain Manager) for shared decision making to treat chronic pain. The researchers are then examining if the tailored implementation support increases the adoption of the CDS tool and use of shared decision making (SDM). In addition, the research team is collecting data and feasibility information to prepare for a multi-site pragmatic trial to test the effectiveness of Pain Manager, with implementation support, to increase SDM and improve patient-reported pain and physical function outcomes.
CDS describes a range of tools that are used to help support decision-making in the clinical workflow. These tools are often integrated into the electronic health record, and can include alerts or reminders for clinicians, clinical guideline information, condition-specific order sets, diagnostic support, or other tools.
SDM is a collaborative process in which patients and clinicians work together to make healthcare decisions informed by evidence; the care team’s knowledge and experience; and the patient's values, goals, preferences, and circumstances.
Results from this study are forthcoming. Current and future publications from this grant will be posted here.
Primary Care Relevance
This study has the potential to develop and disseminate clinical decision support technology that can be used in primary care to help clinicians work with patients to choose safe and patient-centered care options to treat chronic pain.
AHRQ Primary Care Priority Area
Harnessing data and technology to conduct research on characteristics of primary care that may influence patient outcomes, such as whole person care, care coordination, continuity of care, and comprehensiveness of care.
