Understanding Chronic Pain

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Maine, along with the U.S. as a whole, has strained under the related epidemics of chronic pain, disability and absence from the workforce, opioid use disorders (OUDs), and OUD-related overdoses. These epidemics peaked in the context of a healthcare system that embraced models of chronic pain that emphasized pain’s biological aspects and minimized pain’s complex psychosocial aspects. Newer and more clinically useful models exist. This webinar will introduce participants to models and concepts used at the Living Life Well Pain Rehabilitation Program at the Pain Center at Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland. These models and concepts point to the need for robust, community-wide, and multidisciplinary responses to help our neighbors, friends, and family members suffering with chronic pain.

Objectives:

After participating in this one-hour video course, participants will be able to:

  1. Provide a functional definition of chronic pain.
  2. Differentiate “hurt” from “harm,” and summarize the importance of this distinction.
  3. Identify behavioral strategies and techniques from their current repertoires that can be readily adapted to work with chronic pain patients.

How it Works

After watching a 1-hour video presentation, you will be required to take a short quiz. Upon receiving a grade of 80% or higher, you will be directed to a course evaluation. Once you have completed the evaluation, you will be able to download a .pdf certificate to get your course credit.

Outline

  • 1 hour Video Presentation
  • Exit quiz requiring a score of at least 80% to earn contact hours
  • Evaluation of the training

About the Presenters

Joel Guarna, PhD, Joel Guarna is a licensed psychologist in the state of Maine. His early career was delivering addictions treatment, including in the VA Boston Healthcare System. Upon relocating to Portland, he operated a private practice for 12 years. More recently, his work has focused on clinic-based health psychology and behavioral medicine, specifically on integrated behavioral health and the treatment of chronic pain. He currently provides behavioral pain management at the Pain Center at Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland. In 2019, he joined the faculty of the Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program where he serves as Behavioral Health Faculty Lead. Dr. Guarna has a long history of conducting education and trainings for health professionals.

Stephen Hull, MD, Steve Hull is physician specializing in pain care, physical medicine and rehabilitation in the state of Maine. He has been practicing in Maine since 1983, initially at Maine Medical Center, then at the New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland, and currently at the Pain Center at Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland. He has had several medical administrative roles at Mercy Hospital and currently serves as the Medical Director of the Pain Center, Chair of the Continuing Medical Education Committee, Chair of the Integrated Pain Management Conference, and member of the Mercy Hospital Pain Stewardship Committee. He has testified before the Maine legislature during development of recent opioid legislation and serves currently as a member of the AMA Pain Care Task Force.


Contact Hours

Certificates will be issued upon completion of an online course evaluation.
No partial credit will be given.

  • 1 CONTACT HOUR for social workers, licensed professional clinical counselors, psychologists, continuing health education specialists, and  behavioral healthcare workers.
  • 1 CONTACT HOUR for Alcohol and Drug Counselors

Important Info

Disclaimer: This course is intended for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide medical advice. The views, opinions, and content expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of the Co-Occurring Collaborative Serving Maine (CCSME).

Disclosure:  Neither the presenters, Drs. Stephen Hull and Joel Guarna, or the program planners have any conflicts of interest to disclose.