Assessing the Benefits of Opioid Therapy

To determine the benefit of opioid therapy, these areas should be evaluated at regular intervals:

Progress Towards Goals
Review Engagement in Self-care
  • Does the patient exercise regularly?
  • Does the patient employ stress reduction techniques?
  • Does the patient employ non-pharmacological modalities (e.g. cold and heat) to reduce his or her pain?
  • Quality of Life
Review Adjunctive Treatments
  • Is the patient engaged in behavioral counseling?
  • Is the patient attending physical therapy?
  • Would a change in nutrition or weight loss benefit the patient?
  • Other modalities (Non-pharmacological treatment of pain)

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