Developing an Interdisciplinary Pain Program: A Practical Implementation Guide to In-Person and Virtual Pain Care

Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs have demonstrated good evidence for addressing chronic pain conditions; however, because a variety models for effective programs have been put forth, it can be challenging for clinicians and administrators to know how to build a new program. This presentation is designed to provide a review of these types of programs and discuss how the San Francisco VA Health Care System introduced such a program starting in 2010. Stages of this program’s development, including its recent conversion to fully virtual care, will be described. Details related to staffing, scope of the program, curriculum and treatment modalities, target population, admission procedures, discharge planning, and an overview of program metrics and outcomes will be discussed. In reviewing implementation challenges and successes, this presentation will provide participants with practical clinical and administrative guidance with the goal of helping to support development of similar programs.