Pain Management Summit for enhanced Veteran care

G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA hosted its first-ever Pain Management Summit on Sept. 24 for more than 100 health care providers from across the main facility and its community-based outpatient clinics.

This event focused on equipping VA health care professionals with the latest knowledge, tools and strategies for treating pain—a critical issue faced by Veterans.

Experts from a wide range of disciplines came together to provide attendees with essential clinical information. These insights were designed to be directly applicable in the diverse clinical settings where Veterans receive pain care. The interdisciplinary approach allowed for a comprehensive exploration of pain management, considering both traditional treatments and emerging therapies.

Model emphasizes integrative approach to pain care

At the heart of the summit was VA’s Stepped Care Model for Pain Management, a framework designed to ensure that Veterans receive personalized care that escalates as necessary. This model emphasizes an integrative approach to pain care, combining medication management, therapy, complementary treatments and lifestyle modifications. The goal is to provide Veterans with holistic, effective pain management that addresses not only physical symptoms but also mental and emotional well-being.

Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Rita Harvey highlighted the importance of this collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach when she noted that “This summit marks a significant step forward in our mission to deliver comprehensive, compassionate care for Veterans. By bringing together experts from across disciplines, we’re building stronger, more effective strategies for managing pain. It’s not just about treatment, it’s about improving Veterans’ quality of life and addressing their physical, emotional and mental well-being.”

The summit also served as an opportunity to address gaps in current pain care practices and to reinforce the need for collaboration across various medical fields. The clinical insights shared by experts underscored the importance of a patient-centered, team-based approach to pain management, ensuring Veterans receive the best possible care, no matter where they are treated.

The Pain Management Summit represents not just an event but a movement toward more effective, compassionate care for Veterans experiencing pain. With more educational opportunities like this on the horizon, VA continues to lead the way in advancing Veteran health care.