THE INTEGRATIVE PAIN CENTER OF ARIZONA MISSION & VISION

THE INTEGRATIVE PAIN CENTER OF ARIZONA MISSION:

To empower individuals to ease pain, reduce pain related disability and achieve the highest possible Quality of Life through the creation of interdisciplinary partnerships in a caring environment where research and education blend with clinical practice

PAIN CENTER VISION:

A sustainable interdisciplinary medical practice serving the needs of the community, and the broader science of pain medicine

Why the effort to promote better pain relief is important

* Pain relief puts the patient back in control of their lives.
* "While the diseases which kill take much of the public attention, musculoskeletal or rheumatic diseases are the major cause of morbidity throughout the world," Dr G. H. Brundtland, Chairman, World Health Organization.
* We have the technology to relieve pain, yet it is not made available to most Americans.
* Learning principles of pain management improves patient’s and their family’s Quality of Life.
* 80% of the healthcare dollar is spent on chronic illness, and inadequate treatment of pain is partially responsible for this cost.
* Relief of the stress of pain allows the body to heal more quickly.
* An example of the importance of effective pain control to the lives of patients was provided by the
World Health organization in 1990. They were discussing cancer pain, "The greatest improvements in Quality of Life for cancer patients and their families could be effected by implementation of existing knowledge of pain and symptom control."
* Advances in medical care have reduced deaths from conditions such as heart disease, diabetes,stroke, cancer, immune dysfunction, and others. Many survivors will have chronic pain that results from the disease process, permanent treatment side effects, or a combination of the two.

Why the emphasis on the Interdisciplinary model of healthcare?

It is a rational response to:

* Dissatisfaction with the status quo, and
* Out of control health care costs

Because:

* It promotes patient participation in decision making
* It emphasizes self management skills
* It facilitates more accurately targeted treatment plans

WHAT DO WE DO?

I. Apply and study the interdisciplinary model of healthcare.

* Thorough assessment of the patient; and of the nature, cause and effects of pain.
* Plan treatment in collaboration with the patient and coordinate the plan in collaboration with other members of the treatment TEAM.

II. Work to restore control of healthcare to patients

* Place the patient in the role of "student"
* Help patients acquire the tools to make better healthcare decisions.
* Reincarnate the traditional role of the physician as a teacher

III. Provide and research the most innovative techniques* to treat pain, it’s effects, and other associated symptoms.


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THE INTEGRATIVE PAIN CENTER OF ARIZONA MISSION: To empower individuals to ease pain, reduce pain related disability and achieve the highest possible Quality of Life through the creation of interdisciplinary partnerships in a caring environment where research and education blend with clinical practice PAIN CENTER VISION: A sustainable interdisciplinary medical practice serving the needs of the community, and the broader science of pain medicine Why the effort to promote better pain relief is important * Pain relief puts the patient back in control of their lives. * "While the diseases which kill take much of the public attention, musculoskeletal or rheumatic diseases are the major cause of morbidity throughout the world," Dr G. H. Brundtland, Chairman, World Health Organization. * We have the technology to relieve pain, yet it is not made available to most Americans. * Learning principles of pain management improves patient’s and their family’s Quality of Life. * 80% of the healthcare dollar is spent on chronic illness, and inadequate treatment of pain is partially responsible for this cost. * Relief of the stress of pain allows the body to heal more quickly. * An example of the importance of effective pain control to the lives of patients was provided by the World Health organization in 1990. They were discussing cancer pain, "The greatest improvements in Quality of Life for cancer patients and their families could be effected by implementation of existing knowledge of pain and symptom control." * Advances in medical care have reduced deaths from conditions such as heart disease, diabetes,stroke, cancer, immune dysfunction, and others. Many survivors will have chronic pain that results from the disease process, permanent treatment side effects, or a combination of the two. Why the emphasis on the Interdisciplinary model of healthcare? It is a rational response to: * Dissatisfaction with the status quo, and * Out of control health care costs Because: * It promotes patient participation in decision making * It emphasizes self management skills * It facilitates more accurately targeted treatment plans WHAT DO WE DO? I. Apply and study the interdisciplinary model of healthcare. * Thorough assessment of the patient; and of the nature, cause and effects of pain. * Plan treatment in collaboration with the patient and coordinate the plan in collaboration with other members of the treatment TEAM. II. Work to restore control of healthcare to patients * Place the patient in the role of "student" * Help patients acquire the tools to make better healthcare decisions. * Reincarnate the traditional role of the physician as a teacher III. Provide and research the most innovative techniques* to treat pain, it’s effects, and other associated symptoms.














ABOUT I.P.C.A's SYMBOL: This design features a patient in a maze. The labyrinth is used because it symbolizes the journey through life. A pain condition changes the journey of life in ways that cannot be anticipated. Those changes affect one’s life and environment dramatically. We hope to help the patient and his/her family to create an active partnership in adjusting to and affecting the new labyrinth of life. The symbol is meant to show an active role of the patient in this process. Unlike other health care services, we will be encouraging patients to take an active part and responsibility in their own healthcare. This design is not symbolic of the traditional role of the physician, constructing a plan for treatment in isolation. Our goal is to form an alliance with the patient to make changes that will have a positive impact on their journey. The triangle design symbolizes the three elements that can be used to improve the journey and establish equilibrium. The three elements are: the Psychosocial (MIND), the Musculoskeletal (BODY), and the Neurological (NERVOUS SYSTEM). Each of these elements must be balanced to assist the individual with pain to regain a sense of control while navigating life’s journey.


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