terminology indicates the use of alternative means to decrease anxi-
ety and discomfort," she says.
Surgeons are being asked to completely change how they've always
approached pain management, points out Ms. Byrd. "In the recent
past, they were encouraged to ensure pain was essentially eliminat-
ed," she explains. "Now, they're being asked to limit the use of opioids
and prescribe based on a patient's specific needs."
Ms. Byrd points out that surgeons have traditionally used opioids as
the primary way to eliminate pain, and wrote prescriptions without
hesitation based on patients' self-reported pain levels. That needs to
change. "Society has taught patients that their pain levels must be at
or near zero," says Ms. Byrd. "It's our duty to tilt the pendulum back
to treat the patient, not the number."
OSM
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