Addressing Pain Management In Military Medicine

On the battlefield soldiers can suffer any number of injuries that can lead to a lifetime of painful injuries. How doctors approach that care can affect the quality of life their patients enjoy long after their time in the service is done.

Chrisopher Spevak, MD, MPH, JD, a civilian doctor at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center discussed these treatment options and more during a recent interview with MD Magazine.

Just as in the civilian world opioid dependence and abuse is a serious concern in military medicine. While there are protocols in place to address these issues there are new steps being taken to help keep patients as pain free and healthy as possible.

The military medical community finds itself treating patients ranging in age from the young 18-year-olds to World War II veterans in their 80's and above. Providing proper pain treatment to this wide variety of patients can be a challenge for providers no matter where they work.

As active duty soldiers make the transition to the reserves or civilian life their healthcare can also move to traditional civilian practices but still requires certain important considerations for care.