Open Issues and Practical Suggestions for Telemedicine in Chronic Pain

Marco Cascella, Franco Marinangeli, Alessandro Vittori, Cristina Scala, Massimo Piccinini, Alessandro Braga, Luca Miceli and Renato Vellucci
Additional contact information
Marco Cascella: Division of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Istituto Nazionale Tumori—IRCCS—Fondazione Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Franco Marinangeli: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Alessandro Vittori: Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, ARCO, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
Cristina Scala: UOC Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy, Senigallia Hospital, 60123 Ancona, Italy
Massimo Piccinini: Anesthesia, Critical Care, Palliative Medicine and Pain Therapy Service, L’Aquila ASL1 Abruzzo, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Alessandro Braga: Grunenthal, Italia srl, 20019 Milan, Italy
Luca Miceli: Department of Clinical and Experimental Pain Medicine, IRCCS CRO of Aviano, 33081 Aviano, Italy
Renato Vellucci: Pain and Palliative Care Clinic, University Hospital of Careggi, 50121 Florence, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-10

Abstract: Telemedicine represents a major opportunity to facilitate continued assistance for patients with chronic pain and improve their access to care. Preliminary data show that an improvement can be expected of the monitoring, treatment adherence, assessment of treatment effect including the emotional distress associated with pain. Moreover, this approach seems to be convenient and cost-effective, and particularly suitable for personalized treatment. Nevertheless, several open issues must be highlighted such as identification of assessment tools, implementation of monitoring instruments, and ability to evaluate personal needs and expectations. Open questions exist, such as how to evaluate the need for medical intervention and interventional procedures, and how to define when a clinical examination is required for certain conditions. In this context, it is necessary to establish dynamic protocols that provide the right balance between face-to-face visits and telemedicine. Useful tips are provided to start an efficient experience. More data are needed to develop precise operating procedures. In the meantime, the first experiences from such settings can pave the way to initiate effective care pathways in chronic pain.

Keywords: chronic pain; telemedicine; healthcare delivery; health-related quality of life; functionality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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