Partnership to Develop Digital Pain Management Programs

April 27, 2023 - Under a new partnership, MetroHealth System and Fern Health will begin creating digital pain management programs that are complementary to traditional pain management treatments.

MetroHealth, based in Cleveland, includes four hospitals, four emergency departments, over 20 health centers, and 8,000 employees. 

The organization formed a partnership with Fern Health to enhance pain management plans by adding digital programs. As Fern Health develops digital pain management resources, MetroHealth will offer its subject matter experience and expertise to support the process.

The programs will be integrated into EHRs and clinical workflows to assist patients and providers between visits. While researching the efficacy of these programs, MetroHealth will also work alongside Fern Health to create the infrastructure needed to use them in a clinical setting.

“We welcome the opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise in caring for patients who are affected by chronic pain to help improve the lives of patients not just in Ohio, but now across the United States,” said Chong Kim, MD, co-director of the Pain and Healing Center at MetroHealth, who is leading the research and the clinical aspects of the project.

“More than 20 percent of Americans are living with chronic pain, and it takes a physical and emotional toll on their quality of life. As a nationally recognized leader in providing cost-effective, comprehensive and equitable health care to a diverse patient population, and as a pioneer in virtual care, MetroHealth is well positioned to work with Fern Health to develop a digital solution to complement a physician and their care team’s approach to pain management,” continued Kim, in a press release.

Fern Health currently provides a multimodal chronic pain solution that is only available through employer benefit plans. It offers neuroscience education, sessions with pain management-trained health coaches, and resources to help patients understand factors related to pain. 

“Over the last decade, chronic pain care has transitioned from a focus on a patient’s pain scores to a focus on physical function and quality of life,” said Brad Lawson, CEO of Fern Health, in the press release. “Providers who utilize Fern can gain valuable insights into patients’ daily lifestyle and behavior relevant to chronic pain and use that information to better tailor pain treatment plans to that particular patient’s needs. We are excited by the opportunity to leverage MetroHealth’s historical strengths in physical medicine and rehabilitation, clinical informatics expertise, and focus on health equity to co-develop solutions that will help current and future customers alike.”

Similarly, other organizations have explored the use of virtual tools to enhance pain management.

In April, the VA Office of Health Innovation and Learning partnered with Penumbra to create virtual reality-supported healthcare solutions for veterans. This partnership aims to address veterans' clinical needs while increasing access within community-based outpatient clinics and at home.

The solutions will primarily focus on orthopedics, neurorehabilitation, chronic condition management, and chronic pain management.