Chronic Pain Clinic
Highland Hospital / K7
(510) 437-4636 (Amy Smith, PA-C, voicemail)
We are happy to announce the opening of our new CHRONIC PAIN CLINIC at Highland Hospital. Alameda County recognizes the impact that pain has on our community and healthcare system and has developed a multidisciplinary clinic to improve the outcomes and quality of life of our chronic pain patients. Our multidisciplinary team is comprised of a physician (Dr. Howard Kornfeld), a physician assistant (Amy Smith), a medical social worker (Vitaline Briggs), a clinical psychologist (Dr. Amanda Withrow), and a physical therapist (Vaughn Gibson). Our team will work closely with both the patient and the primary care provider to develop an individual treatment plan with the goal of optimizing function, improving overall sense of well being, and improving the patient’s quality of life.
This clinic is for patients who are suffering from a chronic pain condition, present for greater than 6 months. Reasons for referral might include:
Evidence of addictive behavior in your pain management patients
Complexity beyond primary care (psychosocial, mobility, psychiatric, etc. issues)
Model: Your patients should understand that this is more than a prescription clinic.
(You must continue to prescribe pain meds until after patient has agreed to proposal)
Orientation
1 hour group to describe our program and explain what would be asked of the patient. (NO RX)
Intake
1 hour medical intake with MD or PA; followed by 1 hr. intake by SW. (NO RX)
Proposal
Team will develop proposal to present to patient (treatment goals, which modalities to be used, patient role and responsibility in treatment process). Patient will decide whether he/she would like to start treatment. (sign contract) (NO RX)
Treatment
Program will last between 3 and 6 months, depending on complexity. Patient will be required to attend psycho-educational groups once a week, perhaps one on one therapy, at least monthly medical visits, physical therapy.
Our goal will be to optimize function.
Design pharmacologic regimen that allows for improved pain management while minimizing sedation, tolerance issues, and addictive behavior. (buprenorphine)
Give patient and primary care tools to continue management in the primary care setting.
Maintenance
Patient will be asked to return to the pain clinic every 2 – 3 months to check on their progress.
There is also an ongoing Alumni Process Group offered to all Maintenance patients.
The goal for all patients is to return to primary care on an optimum medication regimen. Primary care must agree to resume care of patient’s pain management upon discharge.
We look forward to working closely with you to improve both the patient’s quality of life, and yours. Please feel free to call with any questions regarding appropriateness of referral, questions regarding our model or just to introduce yourself.