Patient Experiences With Integrated Pain Care: A Qualitative Evaluation of One VA’s Biopsychosocial Approach to Chronic Pain Treatment and Opioid Safety:

BackgroundMounting concern about the risks and limited effectiveness of opioid therapy for chronic pain has spurred the implementation of novel integrated biopsychosocial pain care models in health-care systems like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, little is known about patient experiences with these new care models.ObjectiveWe conducted a qualitative study to examine patient experiences with a pain care model currently being disseminated at the VA: interdisciplinary, integrated pain teams (IPTs) embedded in primary care.MethodWe interviewed 41 veterans who received care from VA’s first IPT to learn how working with the team impacted their pain care and quality of life. We asked about their overall experience with IPT, what worked and did not work for them, and what changes they would recommend to improve IPT care.ResultsThe interviews revealed a wide spectrum of patient experiences and varying perspectives on the extent to which the new model improved their pain and quality of life. Them...