Multidisciplinary Care for Adults With Chronic Pancreatitis: Incorporating Psychological Therapies to Optimize Outcomes

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is associated with a high disease burden, extensive negative impact on quality of life, increased rates of depression and anxiety, and significant health care utilization and expenditures. Pain is a hallmark feature of CP, present in up to 90% of patients with this condition, and can lead to high rates of disability, hospitalization, and opioid medication use. Current perspectives on the management of CP have evolved to advocate a multidisciplinary approach which offers new pathways for helping patients manage symptoms. Psychologists play an important role in a multidisciplinary team effort by applying scientifically based psychological principles and techniques to improve pain and adaptation to chronic illness. This review will detail the fundamentals of delivering psychological interventions for adults with CP managed in an outpatient setting. Recommendations for integrating psychological care in multidisciplinary management of CP will be offered. Future directions for psychological care in CP multidisciplinary teams are also discussed.