The US Veterans Affairs / Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Opioids in the Management of Chronic Pain was updated in 2022 to reflect an extensive review of new evidence since the last publication in 2017.
In this Guideline Topline, find highlights of new recommendations in the 2022 iteration that include conducting behavioral and mental health assessments for all patients before initiation of opioids for acute or chronic pain and, importantly, a suggestion that use of buprenorphine be expanded beyond its role in treatment for opioid use disorder to include pain management in patients on daily long-term opioid therapy. There is also a short review of VA guidance based on its publication Buprenorphine Formulations for Pain Management Recommendations for Use.