Dr. Matthew J. Bair is a core investigator in the VA Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Center of Excellence on Implementing Evidence-Based Practice (CIEBP) and an Associate Professor of Medicine and Geriatrics in Indiana University School of Medicine. His specific program of research is focused on improving pain management in the primary care setting. Dr. Bair recently received a VA HSR&D Career Development Transitional Award (CDTA) to continue his research agenda. His long-term research objective is to develop and test interventions that combine pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments that address some of the barriers to effective pain management that can be practicably applied in VA primary care settings. In 2010, Dr. Bair received the Trustees' Teaching Award from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He serves on the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the American Pain Society. 

     In 2007, he was awarded a Merit Review grant from VA Rehabilitative Research & Development (RR&D) to conduct a randomized controlled trial to compare a combination of pain treatments, including algorithm-based analgesics, pain self-management, and cognitive behavioral therapy, versus usual care. This is the first intervention for chronic pain treatment of Operations Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans. Two trials—one recently completed and one just beginning are highly relevant to this current application.  The first is the VA-funded SCOPE (Stepped Care to Optimize Pain Care Effectiveness) trial to determine the effectiveness of a collaborative care intervention for optimizing pain management in 250 veterans being treated for chronic musculoskeletal pain in primary care. The second is the CAMEO trial (Care Management for the Effective Use of Opioids) that has been just recently approved for funding.  This trial is designed to test the comparative effectiveness of two different treatment strategies: one, pharmacological and one behavioral.

Dr. Bair is board certified in Internal Medicine and a staff physician in Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. Clinical interests include effective pain management in primary care settings.

CLINICAL INTERESTS

HOSPITALS & AFFILIATIONS

EDUCATION

Active Studies

I. VA RR&D                    07/01/2010 - 06/30/2014

"Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy on PTSD and Relationship Functioning" (PI: Whitman)

The goal of this study is to determine if a mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral couple's treatment can help improve both relationship and mental health functioning in particular symptoms of PTSD.

II. VA HSR&D                  11/01/2009 - 12/31/2013

"Stepped Care to Optimize Pain Effectiveness Care (SCOPE)"  (PI: Kurt Kroenke)

This is a randomized clinical trial to test whether a collaborative care intervention between a nurse care manager and pain specialist team optimizing analgesic management and working with primary care physicians can optimize the outcomes of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

III. Samueli Institute        06/01/2009 - 08/31/2013                                                            

"Integrative Medicine, Communication, Compassion and Chronic Care Research: The IC4 Program" (PI: Rich Frankel)

The goal of this study is to develop and test a medical school curriculum focused on integrative medicine for patients with chronic pain.

IV. VA RR&D                     10/1/2007 – 3/30/2012

"Evaluation of Stepped Care for Chronic Pain in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans (ESCAPE)" (PI)

The objective of this study is to conduct a randomized control trial to test a stepped-care intervention to improve functional and other pain outcomes in OIF/OEF veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

1. Ang D, Bair MJ, Damush TM, Wu J, Sutherland JM. Predictors of Pain Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Co-morbid with Depression: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain Medicince. 2010; 11:482-491.
2. Krebs EE, Bair MJ, Carey TS, Weinberger M. Documentation of Pain Care Processes Does Not Accurately Reflect Pain Management Delivered in Primary Care. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2010; 25:194-9.
3. Bair MJ, Brizendine EJ, Ackerman RT, Shen C, Kroenke K, Marrero DG. Prevalence of Pain and Association with Quality of Life, Depression, and Glycemic Control in Patients with Diabetes. Diabetic Medicine. 2010; 578-584.
4. Riddle DL, Johnson RE, Jensen MP, Keefe FJ, Kroenke K, Bair MJ, Ang DC. The PRECIS Instrument Was Useful for Refining the Design of a Randomized Clinical Trial: Experiences from an Investigative Team. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 2010;63:1271-75.
5. Krebs EE, Bair MJ, Damush TM, Tu W, Wu J, Kroenke K. Comparative Responsiveness of Pain Outcome Measures among Primary Care Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain. Medical Care. 2010;48:1007-14.
6. Alford DP, Krebs EE, Chen IA, Nicolaidis C, Bair MJ, Liebschutz J. Update in Pain Medicine. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2010; 25:1222-6.
7. Kroenke K, Bair MJ, Damush TM, Wu J, Hoke S, Sutherland J, Tu W. Optimized antidepressant therapy and pain self-management in primary care patients with depression and musculoskeletal pain: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2009;301:2099-2110.
8. Kroenke K, Krebs EE, Bair MJ. Pharmacotherapy of chronic pain: A synthesis of recommendations from systematic reviews. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2009;31:206-19.
9. Bair MJ, Wu J, Damush TM, Sutherland JM, Kroenke K. Association of depression and anxiety alone and in combination with chronic musculoskeletal pain in primary care patients. Psychosomatic Medicine. 2008;70:890-7.
10. Bair MJ. Overcoming fears, frustrations, and competing demands: An effective integration of pain medicine and primary care to treat complex pain patients.  Pain Medicine. 2007;8:544-5.