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The Multidisciplinary Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Study
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Background: Chronic pain affects some 1.5 billion people worldwide, and single-disciplinary approaches to its treatment have so far proved inadequate. Given the biopsychosocial complexity of chronic pain, the multidisciplinary approach to treating it is increasingly seen by many experts as the potential solution, even if its research and implementation is not proportionately widespread.
Aims and Method: To explore the challenges and prospects associated with the multidisciplinary approach, qualitative research was undertaken to investigate the perspectives of world-leading experts in the field of chronic pain management. In-depth interviews with eight experts in chronic pain – researchers, practitioners and administrators – were designed to retrieve candid opinions that might otherwise be constrained in conventional academic discourse.
Findings: Through thematic analysis of the data, the main findings of the research include - 1) Chronic pain is a multidimensional phenomenon; its treatment ought to reflect this multidimensionality. 2) Reviews of multidisciplinary pain clinics show them to be largely effective in reducing pain, improving functionality and thereby reducing healthcare costs. 3) Operational challenges at pain clinics such as coordination, communication, assessment and standardisation can undermine their effectiveness. 4) The ‘pain sector’ is driven by profitability and ROI – multidisciplinary pain clinics are costly, resource-intensive, and are yet to prove their cost-efficiency/profitability to payers. 5) A greater understanding of chronic pain – by researchers, practitioners and patients – can improve the effectiveness of its treatment.
Conclusion: The multidisciplinary approach is the most effective known method for combatting the global chronic pain epidemic, and ought therefore to receive the necessary support from all stakeholders.
Keywords
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