Featured Publications
Qualitative Analysis of Patient Perspectives of Buprenorphine After Transitioning From Long-Term, Full-Agonist Opioid Therapy Among Veterans With Chronic Pain
Edmond S, Wesolowicz D, Snow J, Currie S, Jankelovits A, Chhabra M, Becker W. Qualitative Analysis of Patient Perspectives of Buprenorphine After Transitioning From Long-Term, Full-Agonist Opioid Therapy Among Veterans With Chronic Pain. Journal Of Pain 2023, 25: 132-141. PMID: 37549775, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.07.027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFull agonist opioidsChronic painOpioid therapyPatient-centered approachPain careSide effectsPatient experienceLong-term opioid therapyRacial disparitiesEquivalent pain controlHarms outweigh benefitsPain treatment disparitiesUse of buprenorphinePatient-provider communicationPartial agonist buprenorphineExperiences of patientsPatient-centered careBenefits of buprenorphineLess analgesiaPain controlMost patientsPrevious regimensProvider referralPain managementPain treatmentArguments for and Against a New Diagnostic Entity for Patients With Chronic Pain on Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Whom Harms Outweigh Benefits
Edmond SN, Snow JL, Pomeranz J, Van Cleve R, Becker WC. Arguments for and Against a New Diagnostic Entity for Patients With Chronic Pain on Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Whom Harms Outweigh Benefits. Journal Of Pain 2021, 23: 958-966. PMID: 34974174, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.12.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLong-term opioid therapyOpioid use disorderNew diagnostic entityOpioid therapyDiagnostic entityOUD diagnosisChronic painOUD criteriaHarms outweigh benefitsNeeds of patientsDSM-5Larger Delphi studyUse disordersPatient experiencePatientsThematic qualitative methodsInternal medicineTherapyImproved treatmentExpert panelPainOutweigh benefitsBiological underpinningsDiagnosisThree-quartersDelphi study to explore a new diagnosis for “ineffective” long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain
Edmond S, Snow J, Pomeranz J, Van Cleve R, Black A, Compton P, Becker W. Delphi study to explore a new diagnosis for “ineffective” long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain. Pain 2022, 164: 870-876. PMID: 36448976, DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002783.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLong-term opioid therapyNew diagnostic entityDiagnostic criteriaPotential diagnostic criteriaDiagnostic entityOpioid therapyChronic painOpioid use disorderCertain patientsNew diagnosisUse disordersDelphi studyPainDisorder criteriaSubgroup of expertsRound 2PatientsTherapyThree-quartersRefining criteriaDelphi panelistsExpert panelistsSubgroupsLikert-type scaleRapid qualitative analysisConsiderations of trial design and conduct in behavioral interventions for the management of chronic pain in adults
Edmond SN, Turk DC, Williams DA, Kerns RD. Considerations of trial design and conduct in behavioral interventions for the management of chronic pain in adults. PAIN Reports 2019, Publish Ahead of Print: &na;. PMID: 31583335, PMCID: PMC6749925, DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000000655.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchChronic painClinical trialsQuality of lifeLarge-scale trialsLeast modest evidenceNonpharmacological approachesPharmacological trialsClinical utilityHigh-quality researchTrial designPainMedical interventionsIntervention fidelityBehavioral interventionsTrialsBehavioral approachIntervention developmentEmotional functioningAdaptive behavioural changesAppropriate outcomesBehavioral changesInterventionModest evidencePrimary objectiveResearch design considerations
2024
Factors associated with participation in a walking intervention for veterans who smoke and have chronic pain
Muller R, Driscoll M, DeRycke E, Edmond S, Becker W, Bastian L. Factors associated with participation in a walking intervention for veterans who smoke and have chronic pain. Journal Of Behavioral Medicine 2024, 1-8. PMID: 39143444, DOI: 10.1007/s10865-024-00511-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFactors associated with participationCognitive behavioral interventionPain locationCounseling sessionsAverage daily step countPain self-management interventionMedian daily stepsDaily step countIntegrated smoking cessationSelf-management interventionsTelephone counseling sessionsChronic painModerate pain intensityMedian pack-yearsMultivariate logistic regressionWalking interventionLE painDaily stepsStep countsPain interferenceWalk componentSmoking cessationPain intensityPack-yearsIncreased oddsImplementation, intervention, and downstream costs for implementation of a multidisciplinary complex pain clinic in the Veterans Health Administration
Daniels S, Cave S, Wagner T, Perez T, Edmond S, Becker W, Midboe A. Implementation, intervention, and downstream costs for implementation of a multidisciplinary complex pain clinic in the Veterans Health Administration. Health Services Research 2024 PMID: 38956400, DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14345.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVeterans Health AdministrationIntervention sitesIntervention costsHealth AdministrationPain clinicDownstream costsQuasi-experimental study designChronic painVA administrative dataAverage intervention costComplex chronic painRoutes of careActivity-based cost dataHealthcare utilization costsVA Medical CenterHistory of chronic painMicro-costing methodImplementation facilitatorsHospice patientsCost of treating patientsControl groupAdministrative dataInpatient costsIntervention cohortClinically similar characteristicsInitial Feasibility of a Randomized Controlled Trial for Long-Term Opioid Therapy Tapering via the Summit Program
Schneider V, Wesolowicz D, Moore B, Becker W, Edmond S. Initial Feasibility of a Randomized Controlled Trial for Long-Term Opioid Therapy Tapering via the Summit Program. Journal Of Pain 2024, 25: 71. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.01.323.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLong-term opioid therapyOpioid therapyPatients prescribed long-term opioid therapyRandomized feasibility trialMotivational interviewing sessionsSelf-management skillsAssessment completion ratesSummit programPeer specialistsRandomized controlled trialsTapering opioidsPatient-centeredMailed lettersChronic painFeasibility trialAdverse eventsTheory-informedWebsite programRecruitment difficultiesMedication changesMedical comorbiditySupport programsOpioidCompletion ratesControlled trialsUse of Intervention Mapping to Develop a Group-Based Psychotherapy Intervention for Co-Occurring Chronic Pain and Substance Use
Wesolowicz D, Teufert C, O’Connor R, Edmond S. Use of Intervention Mapping to Develop a Group-Based Psychotherapy Intervention for Co-Occurring Chronic Pain and Substance Use. Journal Of Pain 2024, 25: 72. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.01.330.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntervention MappingChronic painSubstance useInclusion of peer supportImprove participant engagementPopulation of veteransCo-occurring chronic painExpectations of pain reliefRisky substance usePain attitudesPeer supportNeeds assessmentInterpersonal effectiveness skillsParticipant engagementQualitative interviewsPsychotherapy interventionsTarget populationPsychotherapy protocolsInterventionTreatment goalsWorsening painPain reliefPainEffective skillsImproved managementPain Care at Home to Amplify Function: Protocol Article.
Black A, Edmond S, Frank J, Abelleira A, Snow J, Wesolowicz D, Becker W. Pain Care at Home to Amplify Function: Protocol Article. Substance Use & Addiction Journal 2024, 29767342241236032. PMID: 38469833, DOI: 10.1177/29767342241236032.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrimary care providersVeterans Health AdministrationPromote self-management strategiesImplementation facilitation strategyEffectiveness-implementation trialChronic painSelf-management strategiesGuideline-concordant practicesMedication management supportOpioid medication safetyIntervention cost-effectivenessOutcomes of alcohol useLong-term opioid therapyManagement of chronic painCognitive behavioral therapy techniquesNational Institutes of HealthPain carePain interferenceCare providersMedication safetyHealthcare providersInstitutes of HealthSelf-managementAddiction Long-termHealth Administration
2023
Increasing buprenorphine access for patients with chronic pain: a quality improvement initiative
Wesolowicz D, Spelman J, Edmond S, Schwartz A, Kravetz J, Edens E, Becker W. Increasing buprenorphine access for patients with chronic pain: a quality improvement initiative. Pain Medicine 2023, 25: 226-230. PMID: 37847654, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnad140.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchQuality improvement initiativesSpecialty pain clinicPrimary care providersPrimary careChronic painPain clinicCare providersImprovement initiativesVeterans Health Administration healthcare systemFull agonist opioidsPrimary care clinicsNumber of patientsEligible patientsBuprenorphine prescribingCare clinicsPain careProvider comfortStandard operating proceduresBuprenorphine accessBuprenorphinePainPrescribingPatientsEducational sessionsClinicVideo-telecare collaborative pain management during COVID-19: a single-arm feasibility study
Rogers D, Frank J, Wesolowicz D, Nolan C, Schroeder A, Falker C, Abelleira A, Moore B, Becker W, Edmond S. Video-telecare collaborative pain management during COVID-19: a single-arm feasibility study. BMC Primary Care 2023, 24: 134. PMID: 37386370, PMCID: PMC10308713, DOI: 10.1186/s12875-023-02052-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMorphine equivalent daily doseSingle-arm feasibility studyEquivalent daily dosePain managementDaily doseLong-term opioid therapyInitial intakeMultiple appointmentsNon-pharmacologic interventionsOpioid use disorderPrimary care providersPain management programGuideline-based careEvidence-based interventionsBackgroundChronic painOpioid therapyBehavioral painChronic painPrimary careCommon conditionCare providersPatientsU.S. veteransPainPreliminary dataPromoting Pain Self-Management Through Adaptive Interventions: Results From A Needs Assessment And Protocol For Intervention Development
Wesolowicz D, O'Connor R, Edmond S, Black A, Becker W. Promoting Pain Self-Management Through Adaptive Interventions: Results From A Needs Assessment And Protocol For Intervention Development. Journal Of Pain 2023, 24: 93. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.02.266.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchChronic painPain flarePain self-management strategiesText message-based interventionNeeds assessmentPain Self-ManagementSelf-management strategiesTechnology-supported interventionsTechnology-based interventionsType of interventionHealthcare utilizationUsual painPhysical activityPainIntervention MappingPsychosocial functioningIntervention developmentSelf-ManagementInterventionIntervention designIntervention objectivesOutcomesVeteransConsistent useDynamic changes
2019
Enhancing Motivation for Change in the Management of Chronic Painful Conditions: a Review of Recent Literature
Ankawi B, Kerns RD, Edmond SN. Enhancing Motivation for Change in the Management of Chronic Painful Conditions: a Review of Recent Literature. Current Pain And Headache Reports 2019, 23: 75. PMID: 31388839, DOI: 10.1007/s11916-019-0813-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-pharmacological treatmentChronic painPsychosocial influencesMotivational factorsTreatment adherenceRecent empirical researchHeadache disordersHealth treatmentIntervention feasibilityMotivationRecent FindingsResearchLong-term opioid therapyEmpirical researchChronic painful conditionsInitiation of treatmentDisordersInterventionOpioid therapyTreatment initiationTreatment outcomesPainful conditionsReviewThe purposeElectronic treatmentCommon factorsPain
2017
Barriers and facilitators to use of non-pharmacological treatments in chronic pain
Becker WC, Dorflinger L, Edmond SN, Islam L, Heapy AA, Fraenkel L. Barriers and facilitators to use of non-pharmacological treatments in chronic pain. BMC Primary Care 2017, 18: 41. PMID: 28320337, PMCID: PMC5359906, DOI: 10.1186/s12875-017-0608-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrimary care providersNominal group techniqueChronic painMean agePain treatment modalitiesProvider-reported barriersNon-pharmacological treatmentPatient-reported barriersChronic pain treatmentPatient-provider interactionsPerspectives of patientsTeam-based approachOpioid therapyPatients' skepticismPain treatmentPatient knowledgeTreatment modalitiesTreatment beliefsModifiable barriersCare providersHealthcare professionalsTreatment philosophyStaff consensusPainPatients