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The Pain and Symptom Management Clinic
The most common complaint patients make to doctors involves pain. The Pain and Symptom Management Clinic seeks to improve the quality of patients’ lives by helping to manage their pain. “Over the years, the clinic has served thousands of patients from throughout Virginia and beyond,” said Patrick Coyne, M.S.N., APRN, FAAN, clinical director of the Thomas Palliative Care Program at the VCU Massey Cancer Center.
“We primarily work with cancer patients or those who are in need of palliative care,” Coyne continued. Indeed, cancer can be a source of constant pain. Oftentimes, this pain is undertreated. An estimated 3.5 million people suffer from cancer pain daily, and 90 percent of patients with advanced cancer say pain is the most distressing symptom of their disease. Many people associate cancer pain with advanced stages of illness, but pain may occur for many reasons throughout a patient’s disease process.
Cancer pain can result from the tumor itself, which may put pressure on nerves, bones or other organs. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are other sources of pain. For many patients, pain is the most-feared aspect of their disease. The clinic and its staff are committed to enhancing patient education and offer a wide range of medication management options. It also offers other techniques, such as physical or occupational therapy and psychological and spiritual support.
Multidisciplinary approach to pain and symptom management
“We take a look at all the different options we can offer the patient for pain and symptom management,” said Coyne. “With cancer, managing pain can be a constant process as we work to establish a regimen that makes the patient comfortable.” Patients are under the care of a multidisciplinary team of professionals who provide a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan. These specialists include medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, psychiatrists, anesthesiologists and others. This advanced and coordinated care is accompanied by close communications with the patient’s primary physician. “Our goal is to help patients maximize their quality of life through aggressive pain and symptom control. We are also here to help patients and families navigate through some of the complex issues associated with living with advanced disease,” concluded Coyne.
The Pain Hotline
Even if you are not our patient, Massey can help.
People suffering from cancer-related pain in Virginia now have access to a free service that provides expert clinical advice on pain management from experts and volunteers at Massey. Massey has established a new office of the Virginia Cancer Pain Initiative, a free service for patients, families and health care professionals throughout the commonwealth who need help with pain management.
Under this program, any Virginian may call a toll-free number, 1-866-990-HURT (4878), for immediate answers from highly trained pain specialists. In addition, the service offers customized medical literature searches on any pain-related issue. If you would like to be seen by a pain expert, please call (804) 828-5116 to schedule an appointment.
“Thousands of Virginians suffer from acute or chronic pain each day,” said Coyne, “Our goal is to relieve suffering and help people live with a higher level of function or, in the case of terminal illness, pass away in comfort and peace.”
