Awareness and Approaches of Family Physicians about Chronic Pain

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: We aimed to investigate family physicians’ awareness and approaches to chronic pain in its management. Methods: This study was planned as a descriptive-crosssectional study to investigate family physicians’ awareness and approaches to chronic pain between September and November 2020.A questionnaire were used as data collection tools.The physicians sociodemographic characteristics, the number of registered patients, the percentage of patients with chronic pain, the status of participation in training activities on pain management, the most common cause of chronic pain, initial approach to chronic pain management were recorded. They were also questioned about the medical treatment option that they preferred for the treatment of patients with chronic pain, the most commonly demanded medication group by their patients and their practice of prescribing those medications, their views on traditional and complementary medicine, and the most effective treatment option for chronic pain. Results:81 family physicians participated in the study.The mean age was 34.2±7.3.58% of the participants are women;42% of them were male.Half of the family physicians participating reported that low back pain was the most common cause of chronic pain. In our country, the responses given to the question about the most common causes of chronic pain were psychiatric problems and low back pain. Initial approach to a patient presenting with chronic pain, the most the physicians responsed ‘I treat the patient’.66.7% of the physicians agreed with multidisciplinary approach. Conclusions: Developing algorithms for chronic pain management, structuring specialist training and planning continuous training after graduation will contribute significantly to increasing awareness of chronic pain.

Keywords

• Family Physicians
• Chronic Pain
• Awareness

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