The State of Pain: Reducing Barriers and Increasing Access to Effective Evidence-Informed Cancer Pain Management: Part 1 & Part 2

The State of Pain: Reducing Barriers and Increasing Access to Effective Evidence-Informed Cancer Pain Management is organized by Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW).

Accreditation:
• 1.5 CE Credits (Part 1)
• 1.5 CE Credits (Part 2)

Description:
Pain is a common occurrence in cancer, affected by a variety of biological, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural factors. Most oncology social workers work with patients and families whose lives have been touched by pain and may not have training and skills to provide effective psychosocial interventions to reduce the multidimensional impacts of pain. This workshop is designed to help oncology social workers identify historical and current barriers to managing pain and relieving suffering, including the racial and gender disparities that continue to impact care. Managing pain in collaboration with interprofessional colleagues requires an understanding of ethical challenges and the current political and public policy landscape surrounding pain management and opioid use. This landscape makes access more complex, demanding expert assessment and treatment plans to maximize effectiveness, with attention to structures to enhance safe prescribing. Participants will gain an awareness of available evidence informed psychological interventions for cancer pain management, including interactive guided imagery and relaxation. Tools such as journals and diaries will be introduced, both to inform assessment and enrich therapeutic outcomes. Participants will review demonstrations and key components of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) that can be used to help patients and families cope with and reduce pain. Information about basic and advanced training for these interventions, continuing education opportunities, and professional resources will be provided. Additionally, this workshop will reinforce pain management as an expected knowledge base in oncology social work.

Learning Objectives:
• Discuss the new proposed definition of pain and its implications for patient care.
• Recognize racial and gender disparities that continue to impact care among vulnerable cancer patient populations.
• Identify 3 evidence-informed pain management interventions appropriate for use by oncology social workers.