How to use the RELIEF Pain Hub

The RELIEF Pain Hub is a free website developed by a team of researchers and healthcare professionals to help people with pain manage their symptoms more effectively and independently.

This resource is designed for easy access, clear understanding, and immediate use, whether a person is newly diagnosed with acute pain or has been living with chronic pain for years. Content is based on current research and is appropriate for individuals with a range of health literacy levels. The site is accessible on smartphones, tablets, or computers.

The RELIEF Pain Hub also offers pain management resources for health care professionals, including webinars, printable patient handouts, discussion guides, talking points, and clinical guidelines. These resources are intended to enhance treatment planning.

All resources for patients, their support network, and health care professionals were carefully curated by a team of researchers and clinicians including nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and psychologists.

Prior to inclusion, all resources were reviewed for scientific accuracy, relevance to the intended audience, ease of understanding, and accessibility.

The site provides information on the management of acute and chronic pain. Topics include types of pain, healthy lifestyle approaches, medical interventions, movement therapies, and pain coping methods, aiming to educate site visitors on varied aspects of pain management.

Site visitors can access a range of self-assessment tools designed to help them understand their pain better. These tools were selected for their ease of use and reliability in evaluating factors such as pain intensity, sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety. Self-assessments include personalized feedback to guide people in their pain management journey.

Optional tracking of progress is offered through a point system. Individuals with pain can earn points for completing activities such as self-assessments, watching videos, or accessing other materials.

Downloadable tracking forms are included that can be used on a computer or mobile device as well as printed.

The RELIEF Pain Hub educates visitors on the benefits and risks associated with opioid use for pain management. It provides information on opioid overdose prevention, the administration of naloxone, or Narcan, and where to access naloxone. It explains opioid use disorder and how to find treatment that fits your needs.

The Hub provides opportunities for individuals to engage with ongoing research. This initiative aims to keep persons with pain informed about the latest developments in pain management and treatment options.

By integrating these resources, the Relief Pain Hub aims to equip individuals with pain and their caregivers with the knowledge and tools they need to manage pain and enhance quality of life.

All visitors are welcome to provide feedback directly through the RELIEF Pain Hub, which allows the team to continually create and adapt content.

Health Care Professionals can utilize the RELIEF Pain Hub to find current treatment guidelines and continuing education opportunities.

In addition, an online pain management education program is available for health science students.

Informational handouts can support important conversations during clinic visits.

Referral to the RELIEF Pain Hub can be made during appointments. The link to the RELIEF Pain Hub can be included in after-visit summaries or patient portal messages. A flyer or resource sheet that provides a brief overview of the RELIEF Pain Hub can be printed for patients who prefer paper.

The Hub can be used during group visits or pain education classes.

Direct patients to relevant content, for example: yoga or relaxation tools. This can be helpful to reinforce self-management goals. It can also be useful if wait times for appointments to specialists or therapists are prolonged.

Support for the site was provided from the Washington State Health Care Authority. It reflects the most current understanding of pain science and aligns with state and national guidelines for non-opioid and multimodal pain care.