Reducing Opioid Reliance in Veterans Using a Whole Health Education and Shared Medical Appointment Care Model

ABSTRACT Background Reducing opioid reliance in chronic pain treatment may best be accomplished with interdisciplinary teams. Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs) are one format whereby an interdisciplinary team partners with groups of patients to provide health education and clinical care. The Whole Health (WH) model is an emerging framework whereby the care team partners with the patient to reach shared goals with emphasis on self-care and healing modalities. Purpose Assess the impact of a WH Education intervention in patients with chronic pain and long-term opioid use within the framework of Shared Medical Appointment (SMA). Results Retrospective chart review of 86 participants indicated significant opioid reduction at 12 and 24 months. The rate of opioid reduction in the SMA group surpassed the rate of decline of the host or national VA cohorts. Overall pain perception did not increase while patient satisfaction and safety indices improved. Discussion Results of the intervention suggest that a WH education model in a SMA is one approach to help patients reduce long-term opioid reliance. Translation to Health Education Practice: Trained Whole Health Coaches/Education Specialists are key personnel in the implementation of the WHSMA model of care and facilitators of behavioral change that results in improved wellness outcomes. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars