Pain Sufferers (pain + sufferer)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Exploring the experiences of partners who live with a chronic low back pain sufferer

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 1 2004
Julia Miller BSc MA
Abstract Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a condition that causes individuals considerable distress. It also presents a significant challenge to the health service and is often viewed by clinicians as frustrating to manage. The purpose of the present paper is to explore the experiences of individuals in the immediate social sphere of those suffering from CLBP and their role in care-giving for their partner. An approach was taken using two qualitative research methods to gather data: journals and focus groups. Findings from the journals and the focus groups revealed issues for partners of CLBP sufferers in relation to living with their partners' pain, perceptions of healthcare and the dominance of illness over social contacts. Key themes revealed the complex emotions experienced by respondents, and underlined the need for their role as care givers and partners to be acknowledged by healthcare professionals. The data also highlighted respondents' desire to have greater involvement in their partners' healthcare, which includes provision of relevant information and involvement with therapeutic interventions. The findings emphasise the need for healthcare professionals to include and acknowledge partners and others in the immediate social sphere of patients in the management of chronic conditions. [source]


Accurate Pain Detection Is Not Enough: Contextual and Attributional Style as Biasing Factors in Patient Evaluations and Treatment Choice,

JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2002
Linda M. Lundquist
Ninety-six adults with a supportive or unsupportive attributional style participated in an experiment that examined the effects of contextual (i.e., coping and medical evidence) information on evaluations of pain severity, the pain sufferer, and treatment choice for shoulder pain patients. Respondents accurately detected a patient's pain level from the videotaped facial displays, but patients who were coping with the pain were evaluated more positively than noncoping pain patients. Furthermore, unsupportive attributional style predicted harsher treatment choices. Thus, accurate detection of pain does not guarantee unbiased reactions toward the pain patient. [source]


Involving users in low back pain research

HEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 4 2003
Bie Nio Ong BA BEd MA PhD
Abstract Objective, To involve users in the design of a research project that aims at describing a 12-month course of low back pain in an adult population sample (epidemiological strand), and to determine how patient and professional perceptions of low back pain and its treatment relate to the use of health-care and to subsequent outcome (qualitative strand). Design, Three focus groups were organized in the preparatory phase of the project with general practitioners, other health professionals and low back pain sufferers. Issues pertaining to the experience of living with, or treating low back pain were explored and users were asked to identify relevant research questions for consideration within the study. Findings, The focus groups revealed tensions between involving users as co-researchers for design issues and their role as sufferers and health professionals who want to share their narrative accounts of low back pain. The group discussions produced a wealth of material for analysis, but no explicitly stated research topics. Three key themes and the process of user involvement in the focus groups are discussed. Conclusions, The focus group format could be restrictive in that it allows for detailed exchange between participants, but is insufficiently geared towards the production of a research agenda. We draw conclusions as to possible approaches for user involvement in health services research design. [source]


Interpersonal Issues Between Pain Physician and Patient: Strategies to Reduce Conflict

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 8 2008
Kate Diesfeld BS
ABSTRACT Objective., This article analyzes scholarship on the interpersonal challenges that pain physicians face, with an emphasis on strategies to reduce conflicts within therapeutic relationships. Results., Scholarship on the dilemmas pain physicians face suggests that 1) there are unique and perhaps unrecognized features of pain medicine that generate stress; 2) interpersonal conflict may contribute to stress; and 3) clinicians' biases may interfere with the doctor,patient relationship and with the best practice of pain medicine. Application of a framework based on clinicians' beliefs and Papadimos' reflections on justice and temperance may reduce such conflicts. Conclusion., The challenges of pain medicine may be complicated by the clinician's undisclosed attitudes regarding their roles and their perceptions of pain sufferers. A strategy for physicians to examine their beliefs within a supportive environment may aid physicians caring for people with chronic pain. Papadimos' reflections upon the virtues of justice and tolerance guide this analysis. [source]


Perseverance by Older People in Their Management of Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Study

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 3 2007
Beatrice Sofaer-Bennett PhD, Cert Couns
ABSTRACT Introduction., Many older people suffer from degenerative and chronic diseases resulting in chronic pain. It is important for health professionals and researchers to gain insights into experiences of chronic pain sufferers, so that they may understand the patient's perspective and instigate appropriate treatments. Aim., This study set out to gain insights into older people's perceptions about the effect of chronic pain on their lives and how they self-manage it. Design., A qualitative approach to generating data based on Grounded Theory was chosen. Sixty-three people between the ages of 60 and 87 years participated and were interviewed using audiotape. The interviews were transcribed and subsequently analyzed, and the material was coded and collapsed into themes constituting the final grounded theory. Results., As the data collection progressed, a major theme of perseverance emerged, supported by two subthemes: ,,keeping occupied, and ,,a focus on social activities. It became apparent that the participants were determined to get on with their lives. Those with strong social links appeared to have a more positive outlook on life. Conclusions., "Keeping going" was a priority for most of the participants. It may be beneficial to identify the ways in which older people persevere despite chronic pain. It is important for health professionals to appreciate the social factors which are important to, and valued by, older people who experience chronic pain. [source]