Chronic Pain And Digital Care: A Fresh Approach For Employers

Headlines concerning the opioid crisis and its impact on patients’ personal lives have captured national attention, and rightly so—opioid addiction ruins lives and has a compounding effect on communities. The number of deaths caused by an opioid drug overdose has increased over the years, devastating families, communities and the workforce, with over 75% of drug overdose deaths in 2021 involving an opioid, according to the CDC. More than 263,000 Americans have lost their lives to overdoses involving prescription opioids over the past 20-plus years. And the areas where opioids are prescribed in higher amounts typically skew toward the uninsured, and those who have diabetes, arthritis or a disability. This crisis also undoubtedly affects people’s work lives. A survey from the National Safety Council found that 75% of employers feel their workforce has been impacted by opioid use—but only 17% feel prepared to deal with it.

Medigy Insights

In the realm of healthcare, as presented in the recent Forbes article titled "Chronic Pain and Digital Care: A Fresh Approach for Employers," senior healthcare leaders should take note of an innovative perspective that can be instrumental in addressing chronic pain among senior employees. The insightful guidance to consider is the potential for a collaborative approach between healthcare providers and employers. Given the prevalence of chronic pain among seniors in the workforce, it becomes essential to establish wellness programs and interventions that integrate digital care solutions. Employers can play a pivotal role by offering such programs, thus promoting a healthier and more productive senior workforce. The scientific community and senior healthcare leaders should engage in research to refine and validate these digital care methods specifically tailored to the senior demographic. This collaboration between healthcare leaders and employers, underpinned by a robust evidence-based approach, has the potential to alleviate the burden of chronic pain among senior employees and enhance their overall well-being, ultimately benefitting both individuals and the organizations they work for.

Continue reading at forbes.com

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