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Abstract

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this proposal is to develop and evaluate a prototype of an electronic pain software program to be distributed to physicians for patients to monitor chronic pain, symptoms and treatments. An accompanying prototype website will provide samples of customizable reports and patient education pages on pain management. Chronic pain and related symptoms afflict a third of the American population (over 80 million people). Chronic pain accounts for 21% of emergency room visits, 25% of annual missed workdays, and imposes a greater economic burden than any other disease with estimated annual costs of up to $100 billion. Pain is the primary symptom for seeking medical care. However, misunderstanding symptoms, lack of adequate treatment guidelines, and limited continuity of care result in patient and physician frustration with care. Objectives of this prototype software include: 1) Develop clinical content for the prototype diary and website based on Dr. Jamison's and NERI's electronic software and pain management experience; 2) Program the clinical content into a calendar format for easy daily entry of data with the use of pull-down screens and icons; 3) Test and evaluate the prototype software through external evaluation and comparison with a paper diary using volunteer clinic patients.

Thesaurus Terms:
chronic pain, computer program /software, computer system design /evaluation, patient care management, patient monitoring device, personal log /diary
Internet, data management, interactive multimedia, pain, portable biomedical equipment
clinical research, human subject

Institution:	NEW ENGLAND RESEARCH INSTITUTES, INC.
	9 GALEN ST
	WATERTOWN, MA 02472
Fiscal Year:	2002
Department:
Project Start:	01-SEP-2002
Project End:	31-AUG-2003
ICD:	NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH
IRG:	ZRG1