HEAL Initiative: Integrative Management of chronic Pain and OUD for Whole Recovery (IMPOWR): Research Centers

ABSTRACT
There is an urgent need to conduct high-impact multidisciplinary research for patients with
chronic pain (CP) and opioid use disorder (OUD) in the settings where they receive care and in
collaboration with stakeholders and persons with lived experience (PWLE). We propose the
continuation of the Integrative Management of Chronic Pain and OUD for Whole Recovery –
Yale and Organizations United (IMPOWR-YOU) to ensure the maximal impact of the main
studies. IMPOWR-YOU is a multidisciplinary center led by established investigators with
expertise in studying CP and opioid use disorder/misuse (OUD/misuse) and collaborating with
important partners including PWLE. Our research continues to be conducted in general medical
settings (primary care, hospitals) and specialized areas (opioid treatment programs (OTPs)),
with a focus on supporting the career development of early-stage investigators.
In this supplement, IMPOWR-YOU's structure will be condensed to 3 cores: Operations; Partner
Engagement; and Career Development. The center's focus will be completing its 2 large
ongoing randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that stand to have important impact in Primary Care
and OTPs. These RCTs build on the previous work of our investigators and partners,
addressing critical issues that practitioners face across the healthcare system. They include
outcomes related to pain, OUD, alcohol use, anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep problems,
stress, stigma, and recovery capital.
IMPOWR-YOU was built on and continues to thrive with long-standing multidisciplinary research
collaborations among crucial partners, including PWLE, early-stage investigators, health
systems, and organizations that produce guidelines for CP and OUD/misuse. The IMPOWR-
YOU team comprises an ideal mixture of investigators, including leaders in primary care,
addiction medicine/psychiatry, pain management, psychology, clinical trials, qualitative
research, and implementation science. We have established relationships with a wide array of
partners, and a proven track record of innovation, leadership, collaboration, and outstanding
productivity. With an additional year of funding, we aim to continue addressing the unique needs
of patients with CP and OUD/misuse, further solidifying IMPOWR-YOU as a leading center in
this critical area of research.

Grant Number: 3RM1DA055310-04S1
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: WILLIAM BECKER