However, no definitive conclusions can be drawn from the results of published studies to endorse specific treatment guidelines on opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain. Additional controlled data are necessary to identify patient characteristics predictive of response to opioid analgesics. Use of opioids to treat chronic, noncancer pain. The following statements, recommended by the Council on Scientific Affairs, were adopted as AMA policy at the 1999 AMA Annual Meeting. The AMA encourages states to create multidisciplinary task forces or pain commissions to study the barriers to pain management in their state, and to make and implement recommendations for policy that will create a practice environment conducive to effective pain management.
Guidelines promulgated by medical boards are preferable to regulation or statutes.
The AMA and relevant specialty societies will promote educational offerings for physicians to facilitate learning about principles of pain diagnosis and treatment. The AMA encourages appropriate education in pain evaluation and management to be provided as an integral part of the core curriculum at all medical schools.