Addiction Awareness Week: The Importance of Screening Patients Before Elective Surgeries
Many people undergo planned surgeries expecting to recover and return to their everyday lives, however some patients continue to experience pain long afterwards
This condition is known as persistent postoperative pain. Additionally, a number of these patients may rely on strong painkillers, like opioids, for a long time, which can lead to dependency and other health issues.
Early screening of patients who are about to have surgery can help identify those at higher risk of developing long-term pain or becoming dependent on opioids. By doing this, doctors can take steps to prevent these problems before they start. This approach is especially important in the UK, where the National Health Service (NHS) strives to provide the best care while managing resources effectively.
Why Is This Screening Important?
Persistent pain after surgery can greatly reduce a person's quality of life. It can make everyday activities difficult and lead to emotional challenges like depression or anxiety. Long-term use of opioids adds to these problems, as these medications can have serious side effects and the risk of addiction.
By identifying patients who might be at risk before they have surgery, healthcare providers can offer personalised care plans. This might include alternative pain management strategies, counselling, or other support services to reduce the chances of long-term complications.
Our research aims to understand and prevent the development of persistent pain and opioid dependency after surgery.
Our Research Efforts
We are conducting research to better understand why some patients develop persistent pain and become reliant on opioids after surgery. Instead of focusing on just one aspect, we are examining this issue from multiple angles: how sensitive a patient is to pain, their psychological response to it, and how their body metabolizes opioids.
We are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help analyze the vast amounts of data we collect. AI can identify patterns and make predictions that might be too complex for humans to detect. Additionally, we are leveraging AI to improve how we assess patients and conduct follow-up interviews, making the process more personalized and efficient.
Why Focus on Thoracic Surgeries?
Thoracic surgeries often result in significant pain afterwards. Because these surgeries are more invasive, the risk of developing long-term pain is higher compared to other procedures. By focusing on these patients, we aim to address a critical need and develop strategies that could help others undergoing different types of surgeries.
Looking Towards the Future
Our ultimate goal is to use the insights from this research to create interventions that can be implemented before surgery.
These might include:
- Patient Education: Informing patients about what to expect regarding pain and how to manage it effectively without over-reliance on opioids.
- Customized Pain Management Plans: Developing pain control strategies tailored to each patient's unique needs.
- Alternative Therapies: Introducing non-medication-based treatments like physical therapy, mindfulness, or relaxation techniques to help manage pain.
- Medication Adjustments: Using genetic information to choose medications that are most likely to be effective with the fewest side effects.
Benefits for Patients and the NHS
By preventing long-term pain and reducing dependency on opioids, patients can recover more quickly and return to their normal lives sooner. This not only improves individual well-being but also reduces the strain on the NHS. Fewer complications mean less need for additional treatments, hospital visits, and long-term care, which helps save resources and allows the NHS to focus on providing excellent care to all patients.
Conclusion
Screening patients before they undergo elective surgeries is a crucial step in improving health outcomes. Our research aims to understand and prevent the development of persistent pain and opioid dependency after surgery. By combining brain activity monitoring, biological studies, and advanced AI technology, we hope to create effective strategies that benefit patients and the healthcare system alike. This proactive approach has the potential to transform surgical care and enhance the quality of life for many people.