Doctor brings hope for chronic pain sufferers

(CNS): The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority has expanded its clinical team with the addition of a new Chronic Pain Specialist. With chronic pain affecting a significant number of people Dr John Lee brings over a decade of experience in pain medicine to the hospital.  He previously held the position of Consultant in Pain Medicine at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery in the UK where he led a department of around  40 staff.  “Chronic pain affects a significant portion of the community with just under 20% of the population sufferingfrom long term pain issues,” said Lizzette Yearwood, Chief Executive Officer.

“We are looking forward to the contributions that Dr. Lee will be able to make in this area,” the hospital boss added.

Dr Lee He has been a member of numerous British committees, setting standards and guidelines for chronic pain and has an extensive list of publications in the field.

His speciality of pain management employs a multidisciplinary approach to the relief of pain and improvement in the quality of life of those living with pain.  Chronic pain is generally defined as pain that has lasted for over three months.  Long term pain ranges from headache and joint pain, to pain as a consequence of other diseases such as diabetes or after a stroke and backache.  Although chronic pain may originate with an initial injury or medical condition, there are people who suffer with long term pain in the absence of any past injury or evidence of body damage.

The emotional toll of chronic pain has also been shown to worsen the condition resulting in anxiety, stress, depression, anger, and fatigue.  In many ways, this can become a vicious cycle that is difficult to break.  There are also significant social consequences not only for the individual, but also their family and loved ones, and the wider community.  The best management strategies use a holistic approach to understand the nature of long term pain, its consequences and how best to manage it in its entirety.

“For people living with chronic pain, the ability to understand  their condition, and know how to manage it, provides a sense of control and confidence that can go a long way toward minimizing the debilitating impact of chronic pain,”   Dr. Lee said.
“I am looking forward to being able to further develop the pain service programs here at the Health Services Authority, and to assist patients who are living with chronic pain.  I welcome the opportunity to implement programs that target self-management and focus on coping skills that alleviate the negative thoughts associated with chronic pain,” he added. 

“It is not unusual for chronic pain to persist, even though the cause of the pain is no longer present; therefore, good pain management is the long term goal.  Pain management is a team effort and I will be working closely with my other specialist colleagues, particularly within spinal services, to facilitate educational sessions about the management of chronic pain for primary care, healthcare providers and the public.”
Excited by his arrival Yearwood said: “The Health Services Authority is pleased to welcome Dr. Lee to our team and to expand the range of services that we provide to our patients.”