Br. Ferrell et H. Griffith, COST ISSUES RELATED TO PAIN MANAGEMENT - REPORT FROM THE CANCER PAIN PANEL OF THE AGENCY FOR HEALTH-CARE POLICY AND RESEARCH, Journal of pain and symptom management, 9(4), 1994, pp. 221-234
The clinical problem of unrelieved pain has received much attention ov
er the previous decade with a major focus on cancer pain and acute pos
toperative pain. Organizations such as the World Health Organization (
WHO), the National Cancer Institute, the American Pain Society (APS),
and others have addressed the previously neglected areas of pain asses
sment, pharmacologic treatment, and the knowledge and attitudes of hea
lth-care providers. Health-policy issues related to pain, including ar
eas of cost, access to care, regulatory perspectives and ethical and l
egal issues, have likewise been neglected. To explore the costs associ
ated with pain, the following framework has been developed through the
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) pain panel. This 1
3-point framework is an attempt to isolate specific cost issues, ident
ify what is known in these areas, and address implications for future
research. A brief synopsis of these 13 areas of cost analysis is provi
ded including comments regarding work in progress by the panel and dir
ections for future health-policy research related to pain management.