Veterans Action League 2.0: Creating a Veteran-Centered Chronic Pain Research Agenda

Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability among United States veterans. Affecting up to 70% of veterans, chronic pain touches all aspects of life, not just physical functioning. Despite the fact that the nation is experiencing a crisis with substance use disorder, the most common treatment for...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Cheryl A. Krause-Parello, Linda Flynn, Beth A. Pratt, Rosa Clarke, Luana Colloca, Jane Garvin, David Hibler, Karen L. Saban, Frances Weaver
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The University of Alabama 2023-03-01
Series:Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship
Subjects:
Online Access:https://account.jces.ua.edu/index.php/s-j-jces/article/view/510
Description
Summary:Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability among United States veterans. Affecting up to 70% of veterans, chronic pain touches all aspects of life, not just physical functioning. Despite the fact that the nation is experiencing a crisis with substance use disorder, the most common treatment for pain among veterans is opioids. The purpose of this community engagement project was to develop a national veteran-centered chronic pain research agenda. In total, 129 veterans and stakeholders engaged in Think Tank Meetings across five states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, and Virginia. Veterans revealed they wanted better access to care, better care coordination, and more options for managing chronic pain. Veterans’ recommendations for chronic pain management and veteran-generated priorities for chronic pain research are presented. The outcomes of this community engagement project can be used by researchers, clinicians, health care providers, health care system managers, and policy-makers to engage in activities that are veteran-centered and veteran-driven.
ISSN:1944-1207
2837-8075