• Musculoskeletal care · Dec 2012

    The impact of a nurse-led chronic musculoskeletal pain clinic on healthcare utilization.

    • S Ryan, J C Packham, P T Dawes, and K P Jordan.
    • Staffordshire Rheumatology Centre, Haywood Hospital, High Lane, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, UK. sarah.ryan@stokepct.nhs.uk
    • Musculoskeletal Care. 2012 Dec 1; 10 (4): 196-201.

    Aims And ObjectivesTo determine whether a nurse-led chronic musculoskeletal pain clinic for fibromyalgia patients can reduce utilization of healthcare services.BackgroundPeople with fibromyalgia often consult multiple specialities due to the vast nature of their symptoms but receive little or no help in managing their symptoms.DesignA retrospective evaluation of a nurse consultant-led chronic pain management clinic.MethodsThe frequency of hospital attendances in the five years before and three years after pain clinic attendance was evaluated. General practitioner (GP) attendances in the 12-month period before and after pain clinic attendance were compared with attendances for two groups of patients from an established GP cohort: (i) patients referred to rheumatology new patient clinics and (ii) all patients with fibromyalgia referred to any hospital new patient clinic.ResultsIn the three years following attendance at the pain clinic, the mean number of hospital appointments fell significantly from 2.8 to 1.4 per annum (p < 0.001). The mean reduction seen in hospital clinic attendances in the first year (0.8/annum) improved in the second (1.2/annum) and third (2.1/annum) years. Seventy-eight per cent of pain clinic patients reduced their visits to their GP in the 12 months following treatment in the pain service, compared with 53% of patients referred to rheumatology clinics and 46% of patients with fibromyalgia.ConclusionA nurse-led chronic pain clinic for fibromyalgia patients can have a positive impact on primary and secondary healthcare utilization.Relevance To Clinical PracticeHaving a designated nurse-led pain clinic can enable patients to access the appropriate service at an earlier stage in their condition and receive the support needed to manage the impact of their pain.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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