Hands cradling a glowing torso, symbolizing pain relief and return to daily life.

Unlocking Relief: Evidence-Based Strategies for Managing Pain and Improving Quality of Life

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Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how advanced practice nurses, multidisciplinary teams, and innovative care models are transforming pain management for chronic pain, trauma, and cancer survivors."


Pain is a pervasive issue affecting millions worldwide, significantly impacting their quality of life. Whether it stems from chronic conditions, traumatic injuries, or cancer treatment, effective pain management is crucial for restoring functionality and well-being. Recent research highlights promising strategies for addressing diverse pain challenges.

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are at the forefront of pain management, particularly for individuals with complex conditions like co-occurring substance use disorder and chronic pain. Studies emphasize the need for readily accessible information to guide APNs in making informed decisions, minimizing risks associated with prescription opioid misuse, and ensuring patient safety.

Furthermore, multidisciplinary approaches are proving invaluable in managing pain in trauma patients. By integrating the expertise of surgeons, coordinators, therapists, and other healthcare professionals, comprehensive care plans can be developed to address the multifaceted needs of individuals recovering from traumatic injuries.

The Nurse-Physician Care Team: A Best Practice for Chronic Opioid Prescription Management

Hands cradling a glowing torso, symbolizing pain relief and return to daily life.

The rising rates of opioid addiction and overdose deaths have prompted healthcare systems to re-evaluate prescribing practices and implement strategies to prevent opioid misuse. One promising approach involves establishing nurse-physician care teams dedicated to managing chronic opioid prescriptions.

A nurse-physician care team can play a vital role in monitoring patients receiving long-term opioid therapy. By standardizing prescribing and monitoring guidelines, the care team ensures patient safety and compliance with recommended practices. Key components of this approach include:

  • Opioid Contract: Implementing a written agreement outlining expectations for medication use and potential consequences for non-compliance.
  • Addiction Risk Assessment: Evaluating patients for risk factors associated with opioid addiction and tailoring treatment plans accordingly.
  • Prescription Monitoring: Utilizing multi-state prescription monitoring databases to identify potential cases of opioid misuse or diversion.
  • Functional Assessment: Regularly assessing patients' functional status to determine the impact of pain management on their ability to perform daily activities.
  • Urine Drug Screens: Conducting periodic urine drug screens to ensure compliance with prescribed medications and detect the presence of illicit substances.
  • Longitudinal Follow-Up: Scheduling regular follow-up appointments to monitor patients' progress and address any concerns.
The implementation of a nurse-physician care team for chronic opioid prescription management has demonstrated promising results. Patients receiving care through this model exhibit improved compliance with treatment guidelines and experience timely access to necessary medications. This collaborative approach fosters transparency and accountability, ultimately promoting safer and more effective pain management.

Empowering Patients, Transforming Pain Management

The research highlighted in these abstracts underscores the importance of adopting comprehensive and patient-centered approaches to pain management. By leveraging the expertise of advanced practice nurses, multidisciplinary teams, and innovative care models, healthcare providers can effectively address the diverse needs of individuals experiencing pain.

Moreover, the implementation of best practices for opioid prescription management is crucial for mitigating the risks associated with opioid misuse and ensuring patient safety. Nurse-physician care teams play a pivotal role in this effort, providing ongoing monitoring, assessment, and support to patients receiving long-term opioid therapy.

Ultimately, the goal of pain management is to empower patients to regain control over their lives and improve their overall well-being. By embracing evidence-based strategies and fostering collaborative partnerships between healthcare providers and patients, we can create a future where pain is effectively managed, and individuals can thrive.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

Why is pain management so important?

Pain management is crucial because it significantly affects an individual's quality of life. Effective strategies restore functionality and overall well-being, whether pain comes from chronic conditions, traumatic injuries, or cancer treatments. Without proper management, individuals may struggle with daily activities, experience reduced mental health, and face difficulties in social interactions. Therefore, the goal of pain management is to alleviate suffering and help individuals regain control over their lives.

2

What is the role of advanced practice nurses in pain management?

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are pivotal in pain management, particularly for those with complex conditions like co-occurring substance use disorder and chronic pain. The role of APNs involves making informed decisions, minimizing risks associated with prescription opioid misuse, and ensuring patient safety. They can provide comprehensive care plans that address multifaceted needs, which has implications on improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing overall quality of life.

3

How do multidisciplinary approaches improve pain management?

Multidisciplinary approaches integrate the expertise of healthcare professionals such as surgeons, coordinators, and therapists to create comprehensive care plans. These plans address the multifaceted needs of individuals recovering from traumatic injuries. This collaborative strategy ensures that patients receive holistic care, encompassing physical, psychological, and social aspects of their recovery. Implications include improved patient outcomes, reduced complications, and enhanced patient satisfaction. This approach ensures comprehensive and patient-centered care, reflecting the holistic approach to address the diverse needs of individuals.

4

What is a nurse-physician care team?

A nurse-physician care team is a collaborative approach designed to manage chronic opioid prescriptions effectively. The team monitors patients receiving long-term opioid therapy, standardizing prescribing and monitoring guidelines. Key components include an Opioid Contract, Addiction Risk Assessment, Prescription Monitoring, Functional Assessment, Urine Drug Screens, and Longitudinal Follow-Up. By implementing these components, the team promotes safer and more effective pain management by ensuring patient safety and compliance with recommended practices. This team fosters transparency and accountability, ultimately promoting safer and more effective pain management, which leads to improved patient outcomes.

5

What are the benefits of a nurse-physician care team?

Implementing a nurse-physician care team offers improved compliance with treatment guidelines and timely access to necessary medications. The key components, such as an Opioid Contract, Addiction Risk Assessment, Prescription Monitoring, Functional Assessment, Urine Drug Screens, and Longitudinal Follow-Up, contribute to a safer environment. The focus on monitoring and patient safety can lead to reduced rates of opioid misuse and diversion. This model ultimately promotes a healthcare system that is more responsive and focused on achieving the best results for the patient.

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