Abstract
Background – Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is a major health problem, for which patients consult a wide range of practitioners often with little success. This may be due to the sometimes different explanatory models for pain held by patients and practitioners. Gaining an understanding of these models may improve care. An area of conflict may be the identification and management of the psychological aspects of pain.
Purpose – To explore patients’ and practitioners’ beliefs and expectations of treatment for CMP, in relation to the identification and management of the psychological aspects to pain.
Method – In-depth qualitative interview study of 24 practitioners (osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists and GPs) and 24 patients with CMP which explored their beliefs about causation and treatment of CMP. Maximum variety purposive samples of both groups were selected. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed for analysis. Data was analysed using FRAMEWORK.
Results – Patients and practitioners believed that stress influenced pain perception, however some patients believed that stress could also cause pain. In terms of the consultation, practitioners felt pressure from patients to provide them with emotional / psychological support which on the whole they felt ill-equipped to provide. Patients operated with a physical model of illness and felt dismissed if practitioners focused too much attention on the psychological aspects of their pain.
Conclusion– Practitioners expressed confusion over what they were expected to provide patients in terms of psychological support. They also expressed a need for training in the management of behavioural / psychological aspects to pain. Patients may also require education to increase their awareness of the psychological aspects to their pain.
Correspondence should be addressed to SBPR c/o Royal college of Surgeons, 35 - 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
