Episode Summary:

In this compelling episode of the Pain Matters Podcast, hosts Sudheer Potru, DO, FASA, FASAM, and Zafeer Baber, MD, sit down with Jeremy Adler, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, a seasoned Physician Assistant practicing at the UCSD Center for Pain Medicine in the field of pain medicine, to explore the evolving roles of advanced practice providers in the specialty. Jeremy shares insights from his 25-year career spanning private practice and academia, shedding light on the benefits and challenges of working in these different professional settings.

Jeremy Adler's engaging discussion highlights the multidimensional nature of medicine, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach that includes APPs, anesthesiologists, psychologists, and more. This episode delves into the reasons behind the rising interest in APP roles, fueled by the pursuit of work-life balance and diverse practice opportunities across specialties. The conversation also explores the necessity of formalized education and training to equip PAs and NPs with the skills needed to excel in the complex landscape of pain medicine.

About the Guest

Jeremy A. Adler, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA|Dr. Jeremy Adler is a nationally recognized physician assistant with over 25 years of experience in pain management. He serves at UC San Diego Health’s Center for Pain Medicine and previously co-owned a private pain practice. A published author and national lecturer, he’s known for his advocacy in evidence-based, compassionate pain care and has earned honors including California State Assembly recognition and POCN’s 2022 Top Pain Management PA award. He also leads the American Academy of Pain Medicine Foundation and holds leadership roles in major professional organizations.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• The significant growth in APP roles offers expanded opportunities, especially in specialties like pain medicine, where multidisciplinary collaboration is essential and the patient population is ever-growing.
• The transition from private practice to academia provides unique insights into differing healthcare dynamics, patient populations, and resource availability.
• A foundation in teamwork and continued education is crucial for true success and effectiveness in a team-based healthcare model.
• Advancements in APP practice have made it a rewarding career choice, especially for those seeking a balanced work-life and diverse professional experiences.
• Building strong communication channels within multidisciplinary teams is vital to navigating challenges and ensuring optimal patient care.

Resources

• Jeremy A. Adler, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA: LinkedIn
• Jeremy A. Adler, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, UCSD Center for Pain Medicine

*Views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts, their institutions, or the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

In this episode of Pain Matters, Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, speaks with Maia Szalavitz, award-winning New York Times opinion writer and AAPM 2025 Featured Speaker. Recorded April 4, 2025, at the AAPM PainConnect 2025 meeting, their conversation explores themes from Szalavitz’s recent writing on addiction, harm reduction, and drug policy. Maia shares her personal journey through addiction and recovery, and offers insights into the critical distinction between dependence and addiction. They also discuss the effectiveness of harm reduction strategies when it comes to opioids, the potential of emerging treatments like Ozempic, and the role of media in shaping public understanding of addiction. Throughout, Szalavitz challenges traditional narratives and advocates for evidence-based, compassionate approaches to drug policy and treatment. She also offers tips for how medical professionals can make their voices heard.

*Views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts, their institutions, or the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

About the Guest:

Maia Szalavitz
Maia Szalavitz is an acclaimed journalist and author known for her expertise in addiction, harm reduction, and drug policy. Having personally experienced addiction, Szalavitz's work draws deeply from her own journey to recovery. Her celebrated books include "Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction" and "Undoing Drugs: The Untold Story of Harm Reduction and the Future of Addiction." Szalavitz frequently contributes to major publications with opinion pieces that challenge traditional views on addiction and advocate for science-based approaches to drug policy.

Episode Summary:

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Addiction vs. Dependence: Szalavitz emphasizes the critical distinction between physical dependence and true addiction — a nuance often misunderstood in both policy and clinical settings.
• Harm Reduction Works: Szalavitz says that strategies like syringe exchange and safe use education are not just compassionate — they’re backed by evidence and save lives.
• Ozempic and New Treatments: The conversation touches on the potential of drugs like Ozempic in treating addiction, and what the early research suggests.
• Media’s Role: Fair and science-based journalism is essential — Szalavitz critiques the harm caused by sensationalized or "artificially balanced" reporting on drug use.
• Policy Reform: Current drug policies often criminalize rather than help — Szalavitz calls for systemic change rooted in public health, not punishment.

Resources:

• Maia Szalavitz: Personal Website
• Books by Maia Szalavitz: Undoing Drugs, Unbroken Brain

Join Executive Producer and Host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and Co-Host Mustafa Broachwala, DO, for a pivotal episode of the Pain Matters Podcast where we address the recent BMJ publication, “Common interventional procedures for chronic non-cancer spine pain: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials,” and the associated guideline. Steven Cohen, MD, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Lynn R. Kohan, MD, University of VA Medical School, Zachary McCormick, MD, University of Utah, Nathaniel M. Schuster, MD, University of California, San Diego, Daniel Larach, MD, MS, MA, Vanderbilt University, Hance Clarke, MD, FRCPC, PhD, University of Toronto and President of the Canadian Pain Society, Hemant Kalia, MD, MPH, FIPP, Invision Health, and present diverse perspectives on the publication’s claims and the systematic review and meta-analysis methods behind it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The podcast underlines the necessity for comprehensive, unbiased systematic reviews and meta-analyses to inform clinical guidelines effectively.
• Experts caution against the misinterpretation of studies and the potential consequences for policy and access to interventional pain procedures.
• Advocates call for unified efforts in the pain medicine community to pursue legislative and regulatory reforms that align with current evidence and patient needs.
• The conversation underscores the pivotal role of personalized patient care and clinically validated techniques in improving outcomes and preserving practice legitimacy.
• The podcast highlights the risk of reducing access to viable interventional pain treatments if skewed interpretations of data shape healthcare policies.

Tune in to discover how these leading experts address the controversies, advocate for robust clinical evidence, and highlight the urgent need for unified advocacy in shaping practical, patient-centered guidelines.

Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss our next episode.

Reference:

Wang X, Martin G, Sadeghirad B, Chang Y, Florez I D, Couban R J et al. Common interventional procedures for chronic non-cancer spine pain: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised trials BMJ 2025; 388 :e079971 doi:10.1136/bmj-2024-079971

*Views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts, their institutions, or the American Academy of Pain Medicine.