The University of North Carolina Pain Center. I. Organization and function.

The University of North Carolina Comprehensive Pain Center, which has been in existence since 1972, is a pain evaluation, treatment and research program based upon individual diagnosis, comprehensive evaluation, and individualized therapy. This is done within the framework of a concurrent program involving anesthesiologists, oral surgeons, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, physicians from family medicine, clinical psychologists, social workers and specialized nurses. The Center is organized in both the inpatient and outpatient modes. This presentation will briefly describe the operation of the Pain Center and discuss plans for future expansion.