Identification and management of chronic pain in primary care: a review.

Mills, Sarah; Torrance, Nicola; Smith, Blair H.

Abstract

Chronic pain is a common, complex, and challenging condition, where understanding the biological, social, physical and psychological contexts is vital to successful outcomes in primary care. In managing chronic pain the focus is often on promoting rehabilitation and maximizing quality of life rather than achieving cure. Recent screening tools and brief intervention techniques can be effective in helping clinicians identify, stratify and manage both patients already living with chronic pain and those who are at risk of developing chronic pain from acute pain. Frequent assessment and reassessment are key to ensuring treatment is appropriate and safe, as well as minimizing and addressing side effects. Primary care management should be holistic and evidence-based (where possible) and incorporates both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, including psychology, self-management, physiotherapy, peripheral nervous system stimulation, complementary therapies and comprehensive pain-management programmes. These may either be based wholly in primary care or supported by appropriate specialist referral.

Citation

MILLS, S., TORRANCE, N. and SMITH, B.H. 2016. Identification and management of chronic pain in primary care: a review. Current psychiatry reports [online], 18(2), article ID 22. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-015-0659-9

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 28, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jan 28, 2016
• Publication Date: Feb 29, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jan 16, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 16, 2020
• Journal: Current psychiatry reports
• Print ISSN: 1523-3812
• Electronic ISSN: 1535-1645
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 2
• Article Number: 22
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-015-0659-9
• Keywords: Chronic pain; General practice; Primary care; Multidisciplinary; Pharmacological
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/819958
• Publisher URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26820898