Pain Management Teams Using Whole Health to Optimize Function and Safety in Veterans: The TEAMWORK Trial

"Whole Health Coaching (WHC) begins by completing a Personalized Health Inventory (PHI), where progress is evaluated within 8 dimensions of health and wellness. The PHI culminates in defining personal values and overall goals for health and wellness (i.e., What do you want your health for?). This is used to create goals for a Personal Health Plan. The Plan emphasizes self-management strategies to manage pain. After the Plan is developed, ongoing support is provided from the Coach through 8 coaching sessions over approximately 5 months."

Pain Management Team-Usual Care (PMT-UC) involves working with VA PMTs that includes working with PMTs comply with legislation requiring each medical center to have PMTs with expertise in pain, addiction, behavioral approaches, and rehabilitation approaches. PMTs will conduct multidisciplinary intakes (at least two provider types) with biopsychosocial assessments for all new patients. Follow-up care will be determined by the PMTs based on what is clinically indicated (with recommended minimum medication management follow ups at 1- 3- and 6-months for patients making medication changes).