Persistent pain is at epidemic levels and the COVID-19 pandemic will not only increase the pin and disability of those struggling with persistent pain, but likely increase the number of those affected. As the world grapples with the pain and opioid epidemic, treatment and the reach of treatments much evolve. Current best-evidence for persistent pain focuses on three domains – education, movement and strategies to calm down a sensitized nervous system. Due to various demands, clinical practice has become fast-paced, short interactions with patients trying to optimize care. This in turn has driven the push towards self-care by patients. One strategy, tied to an explosion of mobile health (mHealth) is the use of apps. This introductory course will teach clinicians a step-by-step process of utilizing a pain app and merge it into clinical practice, focusing on the key areas of pain management. 

By the end of the course, a successful learner will be able to:

• Explain how mHealth emerged as a growing and viable option to deliver healthcare

• Recognize the need to enhance self-care and internal locus of control for those experiencing persistent pain 

• Describe how to incorporate a pain app into current clinical practice 

• Extend the content from this course into the care of patients with persistent pain 

Evidence in Motion is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID #7315. This Distance Learning-Independent course is offered for .3 CEUs/3 contact hours at the introductory educational level in the categories of OT service delivery and professional issues. AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures.