Enhancing Pain Management Through Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Multidisciplinary care in anesthesia involves the collaboration of healthcare professionals to support positive patient outcomes. This approach utilizes the skills of specialists in various disciplines to plan, execute and manage anesthesia care and other facets of pain management throughout the perioperative process.

Here, we’ll explore how a multidisciplinary approach to pain management can support your patients through every stage of their care plan.

Multidisciplinary Care in Pain Management

In the context of pain management, multidisciplinary care involves the collaboration of a variety of medical professionals. A multidisciplinary pain management team may include physicians, pain specialists, anesthesiologists, CRNAs, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists and other care providers.

Holistic Approach

While it’s easy to think of pain management as solely a physical issue, the consequences of pain can go far beyond what is felt in the body. Taking a holistic approach to pain management requires considering the physical, psychological and social aspects of pain.

While managing pain in the body is an essential part of pain management, it’s also important to include those who can address the effect that pain can have on mental health and social relationships.

Patient-Centered Care

Communication among members of a pain management team and the patient’s involvement are vital. A patient-centered approach can help treatment providers minimize unnecessary interventions, reduce reliance on medications and ensure the patient thrives physically and mentally.

There are several facets to consider in developing a patient-centered, multidisciplinary pain management plan, including:

  • Comprehensive assessment: Multiple care providers should work to assess the patient, providing abundant information that helps drive their pain management plan forward. 
  • Communication: Frequent, effective communication between the care team members and the patient helps ensure that patients understand each stage of their care plan. 
  • Shared decision-making: Patients have a right to speak about their care plan, and involving patients and their families (if the patient desires) in the decision-making process can help your patient benefit from having control over their treatment. 
  • Emotional and psychological support: The additional support provided by including psychologists and psychiatrists in a pain management plan ensures that patients receive well-rounded care.

Key Team Members in Pain Management Anesthesiologists

Anesthesiologists and CRNAs are often vital team members in holistic pain management. Anesthesiologists may work to provide nerve blocks and epidural injections to provide interventional pain management, while CRNAs typically work to support anesthesiologists during preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care.

Collaboration Between Anesthesiologists and CRNAs

Anesthesiologists and CRNAs typically work together to develop and implement comprehensive pain management plans for patients under their care. 

Here’s how anesthesiologists and CRNAs typically work together:

  • Preoperative assessment: CRNAs typically assist anesthesiologists during preoperative assessments by gathering details relevant to assisting the anesthesiologist in creating the patient’s treatment plan. 
  • Planning anesthesia: Anesthesiologists and CRNAs work as a team to create individualized anesthesia plans and ensure that all safety protocols are followed. 
  • Administration of anesthesia: An anesthesiologist oversees the administration of anesthesia, while CRNAs work to administer anesthesia and monitor patients throughout the surgical process. In many settings, CRNAs operate independently without the supervision of an anesthesiologist. 
  • Intraoperative monitoring: Anesthesiologists and CRNAs work together during procedures to supervise patients. CRNAs typically take the lead in this role, while an anesthesiologist may step in if an emergency arises. 
  • Postoperative care: CRNAs handle initial postoperative recovery, while anesthesiologists oversee recovery and pain management strategies.

Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness

Utilizing the skills of a multidisciplinary pain management team can increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of a large healthcare organization by reducing redundant testing, producing faster insights and providing more comprehensive care that reduces the risk of patient complications during the recovery process.

How CCI Anesthesia Integrates Multidisciplinary Teams’ Collaborative Framework

At CCI Anesthesia, we believe in fostering collaboration among pain management team members. We use real-time data and reporting to support fast decision-making by integrating technology, such as tablet-based EMRs. We prioritize patient-centered care through a multidisciplinary approach and provide continuous education and training to ensure that our team members are up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in the field.

Reach Out to CCI Anesthesia Today

At CCI Anesthesia, our team is here to provide you with the qualified professionals you need to offer excellent patient care. Contact CCI Anesthesia today by calling 844-937-1810 to talk with us about how a multidisciplinary approach can enhance your pain management services.