Supporting Research in Pain Management for Veterans and Military Service Members
Supporting Research in Pain Management for Veterans and Military Service Members

Talking About Chronic Pain​

Bob Kerns, PhD, Co-Director for the Pain Management Collaboratory, encourages people with chronic pain to discuss their symptoms with their providers. He offers tips on what to think about and how to prepare for the conversation(s). Ultimately, the hope is that a discussion leads to a plan for pain management and a reduction in the levels of pain experienced by the individual.

For More Information...

Talking Points: Preparing for a Provider Visit

It is important to honestly and openly share your experiences with chronic pain with your provider(s). You’ll want to be prepared for a series of questions that providers are likely to ask. Think about the following items, and perhaps take notes about your pain experience for a few weeks prior to the appointment.

Read More »

Recommendations for Opioid Disposal

Drs. Will Becker and Ben Oldfield address the confusion around opioid disposal and suggest options for disposal in this video and in their journal review of the media’s coverage of opioid disposal methods.

Read More »