Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC

The use of non-opioid analgesic therapies is increasing among ED physicians.

Various strategies to reduce opioid overdose deaths have been implemented and it has been suggested that access to medical cannabis may lead to a reduction in opioid use for pain management.

Substantial evidence suggests a close connection between neuropathic pain and mood disorders.

Many translational barriers exist between preclinical research and clinical practice.

Systemic lidocaine administered via IV or patch has consistently shown effectiveness for the treatment and prevention of chronic pain.

The monoclonal antibody erenumab has shown favorable results regarding efficacy and safety for the prevention of migraine.

Special caution is warranted in the administration of pain treatment to patients with severe obesity, and additional research in this population is needed.

The adoption of telehealth technology continues to expand, but requires further research to fully realize the potential it has to address socially desirable goals such as improving the patient experience of care.

The most promising tools to predict acute pain after cesarean delivery are local anesthetic infiltration before placement of spinal anesthesia, and asking patients simple questions about anticipated pain and analgesic needs.

The National Vaccine Advisory Committee highlighted 5 core concepts and strategies that can increase integration of social psychological components with health communication principles to improve the perceived benefits of adult vaccination.