Finally, as with patients who have other severe, incurable illnesses,
these patients benefit from a stable, long-term relationship with
an interested clinician. Regular office visits should be geared toward
review of the patient’s medication and coping strategies,
with a goal of preventing further harm from the effects of the illness
itself, attendant occupational or social disability, or the injudicious
use of medication to treat the illness. Regularly scheduled visits
afford the clinician an opportunity to review with patients the
merits of herbal, surgical, or alternative medical treatments they
may be considering. Ensuring continued psychosocial support and
reinforcement of the patient’s positive behaviors and attempts
to cope constructively with disability are invaluable. Such a long-term
relationship usually becomes an important and appreciated resource
for a person coping with a chronic illness, and should be viewed
as an essential part of the pain physician’s practice—to
comfort always, even when we cannot cure.