Several inadequacies are responsible for suboptimal pain care. At present, conditions do not exist to 1) thoroughly and completely educate and train pain medicine physicians for managing the complexities of pain, for developing standards for the medical care of pain, and for teaching medical students; 2) strategi- cally integrate medical specialties for providing comprehensive treatment; 3) expedite the response to increasing patient demand for improved outcomes; 4) effectively and safely satisfy the treatment needs for the growing volume of patients with pain; 5) reduce costs for the patient, payer, and provider; and 6) substantially advance the knowledge of pain medicine. Each of.
