In the 1970s, F. Miles Skultety, MD, founded the Nebraska Pain Management Center to treat patients with chronic pain conditions. These patients can go months, even years, without lasting relief, which interferes with everyday life.
Dr. Skultety’s center was one of the first in the nation. His work at the center provided treatment and relief for thousands, and his legacy lives on in today’s Chronic Pain Management Program at Nebraska Medicine.
Dr. Skultety, a 1946 graduate of the University of Rochester, joined the University of Nebraska College of Medicine faculty as chief of the section of neurosurgery in 1966 after teaching for 14 years at the University of Iowa. Dr. Skultety served UNMC in many capacities. In 1974, he began his service as associate dean for clinical affairs in the UNMC College of Medicine and as president of the medical staff for University Hospital. In these roles, Dr. Skultety was instrumental in developing the medical center into a prominent academic health center. In 1975, Dr. Skultety was appointed the chair of the UNMC Department of Neurosurgery, a position he held until his retirement in 1987.
In 1973, Dr. Skultety established the Pain Management Center to help his patients, based on the concept that pain is a complex psychophysiological phenomenon. When he first opened the center, it consisted of an intense 30-day inpatient behavioral-based program with multidisciplinary staff in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, psychology and social work. Dr. Skultety’s team pioneered the innovative use of biofeedback, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and exercise programs. The center encouraged patients to take responsibility for their wellbeing to get them back to their everyday lives.
The center moved to an outpatient model in 1986. Patients worked in a four-week treatment regimen in which they were encouraged to practice the pain management strategies at home. The center found that patients who completed the regimen had a 50% decrease in depression, fewer medical visits due to pain, a 75% reduction in pain medication usage and increased life-satisfaction ratings.
The center accepted patients with chronic and non-malignant pain lasting at least six months without surgical intervention, patients with depression, patients with misuse of over-the-counter pain prescriptions and patients with poor coping skills in dealing with pain, as well as patients with work concerns due to pain. The center also helped to encourage healthy postoperative behaviors.
Now, 50 years after Dr. Skultety’s vision became a reality, the Nebraska Medicine Chronic Pain Management Program continues his legacy by providing multidisciplinary assistance to alleviate chronic pain.
Enjoyed your article. I worked for Dr. Skultety in the 1970’s as his secretary for both his clinical and Medical Staff duties. He was an exceptional clinician, teacher, administrator, orchid gardener and person.
Great post! Revolutionary approach to pain management should be evidence-based, patient-centered, and continuously evolving based on scientific advancements and patient outcomes. It’s crucial to work in collaboration with healthcare professionals to explore and implement the most effective and ethical approaches to revolutionize pain management care.