The Pain Outcomes Research Program operates using a modern, integrated approach that embeds research directly within clinical care environments. Unlike traditional laboratory models, our research infrastructure is strategically distributed across the Pain Service Line's clinical spaces, including five outpatient clinics and six operative locations throughout the Atrium Health - Wake Forest Baptist system. This innovative design allows for seamless integration of research activities with clinical care, facilitating rapid translation of findings into practice and ensuring research questions are directly informed by real-world clinical challenges.
The administrative nucleus of our research program is housed within the Department of Anesthesiology in Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, where our core team of research coordinators, data analysts, and administrative staff collaborate to support multicenter clinical trials, outcomes research, and quality improvement initiatives. This central hub is equipped with state-of-the-art data analytics capabilities and serves as the nerve center for our numerous NIH-funded studies and industry partnerships. The space includes dedicated workstations for our research fellows and graduate students, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages mentorship and intellectual exchange.
Our embedded research model extends beyond physical space to encompass a sophisticated digital infrastructure that connects our distributed research sites. Through integrated electronic health records, our custom-built CHOIR patient-reported outcomes platform, and advanced data analytics systems, we maintain a robust network that enables real-time data collection and analysis across all clinical sites. This modern approach to research space and resources reflects our commitment to conducting pragmatic, patient-centered research that directly impacts clinical care while training the next generation of clinician-scientists in contemporary research methodologies.
