How Process Analysis Could Improve the Implementation of Spinal Cord Stimulation Treatment for Chronic Pain

Abstract

SUMMARY Spinal cord stimulation has been in clinical use for the treatment of chronic pain for over four decades. Since the initial use by Norman Shealy, the indications for its use have increased steadily over the decades to include neuropathic pain owing to failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome and painful diabetic peripheral neuropathies. To date, the precise mechanism of action of spinal cord stimulation remains unclear, yet it is still one of the most expensive interventional treatment modalities available in pain medicine with increasing application across the world. Given the worldwide focus on cost-effective care, there is an opportunity to focus on process analysis as a mechanism for optimizing the operations within and between all specialties engaged in the provision of care in pain medicine. Here, we propose a process analysis approach to model, measure and improve the delivery of disease-based care to enhance effective treatment with a costly modality. Systems-based process analysis is not widely utilized in pain medicine, and there is a limited body of evidence for its application. The purpose of this article is to generate interest in the discipline of process analysis in pain medicine, as it has found value in other healthcare settings and industries. We mention the applicability across countries and specialties that we hope will increase the awareness of this concept and possibly generate interest in further examination by investigators that will lead to the development of highly efficient and effective healthcare delivery processes and systems across the globe.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge J Hemme of St Jude Medical, Neuromodulation and V Moskunas of Medtronic Inc., Neuromodulation for their assistance with current US data.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

J McLeod‘s contribution to this article was supported by the Bruce Ford Travelling Scholarship (Royal Australasian College of Physicians). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

J McLeod‘s contribution to this article was supported by the Bruce Ford Travelling Scholarship (Royal Australasian College of Physicians). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.