The American Academy of Pain Medicine

Clinical Guidelines

The American Academy of Pain Medicine and its board of directors has, over the years, researched and approved certain evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the use in treating pain patients. These guidelines are based on a complete review of the relevant literature by a diverse group of highly trained clinicians and prepared by weighing evidence from rigorous double-blind clinical trials and expert opinion. They continue to be reviewed on a regular basis, and when necessary, re-published.

Pain Guidelines

New! Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Chronic Opioid Therapy in Chronic Noncancer Pain
(3/1/09) Use of chronic opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain has increased substantially. The American Academy of Pain Medicine and the American Pain Society commissioned a systematic review of the evidence on chronic opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain and convened a multidisciplinary expert panel to review the evidence and formulate recommendations. Although evidence is limited, the expert panel concluded...
Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Chronic Opioid Therapy in Chronic Noncancer Pain

Proposed California Regulations for the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule
Title 8, California Code of Regulations, section 9792.20
Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule Proposed Regulations

Acute Pain, Chronic Pain and Opioid Use

• Acute Pain and Cancer Pain
• Consent for Chronic Opioid Therapy
• Consent for Chronic Opioid Therapy - SPANISH
• Definitions Related to the Use of Opioids for the Treatment of Pain
• Long-term Controlled Substances Therapy for Chronic Pain - Sample Agreement
• Long-term Controlled Substances Therapy for Chronic Pain - Sample Agreement - SPANISH
• The Necessity for Early Evaluation and Treatment of the Chronic Pain Patient
• The Use of Opioids for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
• Public Policy Statement on the Rights and Responsibilities of Healthcare Professionals in the Use of Opioids for the Treatment of Pain
• Emergency Recommendations for Physicians Caring for Opioid Patients

End of Life Care

• Quality Care at the End of Life
• Undergraduate Medical Education on Pain Management, End-of-Life Care, and Palliative Care