A Group Medical Visit Program for Primary Care Patients With Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a significant public health problem, which leads to physical disability, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life. Furthermore, patients with chronic pain conditions place a high burden on the healthcare system because of the nature of their disease and their ongoing treatment needs. The treatment of chronic pain lends itself well to the primary care setting, where an integrated care approach involving physicians and behavioral health specialists can play a significant role in patient outcomes. One such integrated care model, Group Medical Visits (GMVs), was used to provide medical and behavioral interventions for primary care patients with chronic pain problems. The primary objective of this report is to discuss the GMV model and its feasibility. Additionally, notable baseline data are discussed. A program description is provided, as well as practical considerations for the future use of GMVs in the treatment of patients with chronic conditions.