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UMC creates program for patients with chronic pain

UMC has established one of the first programs in the country exclusively for patients who suffer from chronic pain.

The Pain Clinic at the University Medical Center is being sponsored by a $35,000 grant from Medtronic in order to educate patients on how to cope with pain.

Medtronic Neurological is a Minneapolis-based manufacturer of medical technologies designed to provide relief to those suffering from chronic pain.

This program will be managed by Eileen Walker, who joined the UMC Pain Clinic in December. She has an extensive background in both nursing and education and has worked with the Red Cross, AIDS Center and various free clinics.

Walker will use one-on-one counseling as well as video, classroom instruction and evaluation to meet the needs of patients. She will also accompany patients to appointments in order to help them understand medical terms and instructions as well as to encourage realistic expectations and to improve therapy procedures.

"Most people will remember about 25 percent of what the doctor says. But if you're in pain and on medication, you may remember even less because you just want to get rid of the pain," Walker said.

She added that empowering pain patients through education and feedback helps them cope with unceasing discomfort.

"The more the patient understands their care, the better choices they can make and the happier they will be with their treatment," Walker said.

The UMC Pain Clinic is directed by Dr. Bennet Davis and evaluates, treats and manages people of all ages with chronic pain. The clinic treats cancer pain, post-operative pain, headaches and facial pain, chronic back pain, nerve pain, and pelvic and abdominal pain.

The clinic focuses on improving the patients quality of life by easing pain, reducing pain-related disabilities and offering a variety of services and therapies.

In the future, Walker would like to see a learning center established.

The current "patient education component of the pain clinic is the beginning of the learning center," Walker said.

In addition to this, the new program will offer new learning opportunities to students involved with the Pain Clinic.

"We are trying to create a dynamic learning system rather than a static one," said development officer Brad Walker. "A lot of our systems are pretty static whereas what we're trying to do here is get patients and students involved," he said.

"We're creating a shared vision based on shared values," he added.