Managing the pain component of fibromyalgia is particularly challenging and frustrating for the family physician for many reasons.1 In particular, fibromyalgia pain is often refractory to standard clinical interventions and physicians need to deal with misconceptions surrounding the disease.2 This activity aims to overcome these practice barriers by putting the growing body of evidence-based guidelines into clinical context and by providing a clear strategy for the management of pain associated with fibromyalgia.
During this program, faculty will address misconceptions surrounding the disease and describe the latest data regarding the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia. A practical strategy for diagnosis of the condition in family practice will be provided, together with a step-wise approach to the choice of pharmacologic agent for control of pain. Faculty will also emphasize the impact of comorbid conditions upon the choice of pain control agent and explain the importance of screening for these conditions. Finally, the role of nonpharmacologic management approaches will be described together with the value of combining such strategies with pharmacologic agents. Emphasis will be placed upon the need for individualized patient plans and the value of an empathetic and well informed health care provider. Throughout the activity, faculty will review available tools and resources that can be used to assist the family physician in the management of pain associated with fibromyagia.
1. Huynh C, et al. Key practice points in the management of fibromyalgia. Am Fam Physician 2007;76:195-202
2. Improving patient outcomes in fibromyalgia. www.painawareness.org. Accessed Aug. 31, 2010.
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Fibromyalgia in Family Medicine: Challenges in Pain Management
Activity Overview
Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:
- Evaluate emerging data regarding the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia
- Review the recommended pharmacologic and non pharmacologic treatments for fibromyalgia pain including newer developments
- Tailor treatment of pain to address common comorbidities associated with fibromyalgia such as depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance
- Describe the role of multimodal treatment strategies for fibromyalgia pain
- Formulate realistic treatment goals and educate patients about the expected outcomes of treatments for pain associated with fibromyalgia
- Discuss approaches to monitoring treatment response, managing adverse effects, and optimizing outcomes
- Discuss the importance of the patient physician partnership in the management of fibromyalgia pain
- Discuss the importance of patient education in the management of fibromyalgia pain
- Discuss misconceptions regarding fibromyalgia
Accessing the Activity
LearningLink is hosted by AAFP's technology partner MedEdArchitects. To access the activity (and to allow us to track learner progress through the program), you must have a LearningLink account. If you do not already have an account, it's easy to create one: you just need to provide your name, email address, and member status.
Activity 7: Fibromyalgia in Family Medicine: Challenges in Pain Management
Activity 7: Fibromyalgia in Family Medicine: Challenges in Pain Management
Acknowledgment of Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Pfizer Inc.
Pain Mgt Series
