The Surgeon General of the Army, Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho visited the Interdisciplinary Pain Management Center (IPMC) at Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC), Hawaii to receive a brief on enhanced capabilities being implemented across the Pacific Regional Medical Command (PRMC) on February 24, 2014.
Maj. (Dr.) Brian McLean, IPMC Chief at TAMC discussed several IPMC initiatives and facilitated a mock ECHO (Enhancing Community Health Outcomes) along with Brig. Gen. Dennis Doyle, Commander for Pacific Regional Medical Command and Tripler Army Medical Center, who also highlighted the program as a way to provide pain education and mentorship to primary care managers throughout the Pacific Regional Medical Command via teleconferencing capabilities.
"This is what Army Medicine is", said Horoho. "It's being innovative, it's moving the ball forward and it's making a difference in the lives of those who we have the privilage to serve", she said.
Horoho also received a brief on two IPMC programs that empower patients to take an active role in their health: PEAK (Performance Enhancement through Action and Knowledge), an educational program, and PFLIP (Performance, Function and Life Improvement Plan), which functions as a checklist for patients.
"These are two programs where we can provide a holistic and patient centered plan designed to improve the pain, function and overall health of patients by empowering them to take control over their behaviors, actions and health", said McLean. "After intake, evaluation and education, patients are given a written plan and handouts -- focused on active rather than passive care. This plan is supported and built upon in subsequent visits. The plan is then documented so that it can be supported by the patient's primary care manager and other care providers", he said.
Horoho concluded her visit with the staff by thanking them for their efforts and offered her support for continued program success.
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