Lynn R. Webster, M.D.

I recently had the opportunity to contribute a short educational video for VuMedi, a trusted platform used by over 900,000 physicians, including members of leading institutions like the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Chicago. VuMedi invited me to share insights on the treatment of acute pain—an area I’ve dedicated much of my career to improving.

My decision to participate was grounded in a simple goal: to help physicians more effectively manage acute pain while minimizing the risk of harm, particularly from opioid medications. Although opioids can be an important tool, their use must be carefully balanced with considerations for safety, function, and long-term outcomes.

Equally important, all care must be individualized. Pain is subjective, and treatment decisions must reflect the unique clinical circumstances, values, and goals of each patient. Physicians have an ethical responsibility to ensure that pain care respects the autonomy of patients and aligns with their wishes. Adequate pain management is not only a clinical obligation—it is a moral one.

By equipping clinicians with better guidance and more context, I hope to improve patient care and support a more compassionate, evidence-based approach to pain management. This presentation is one more way I can advocate for patients who are too often caught between inadequate treatment and the unintended consequences of rigid policies.

I’m grateful to VuMedi for providing a platform to speak directly to those on the front lines of care.

You can view the presentation here.