Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Although there is limited research on patient attributes that may be related to reasons for launching a malpractice suit, no such research has been performed in acute pain patients (APPs) or chronic pain patients (CPPs). The objective of this study was then to develop some statistical models that would describe such patients' attributes. ⋯ CPPs are at a greater risk than patients without pain and APPs for harboring the sue MD wish. Some patient attributes and the referral/treatment situation appear to be important predictors for harboring the sue MD wish, but differ between APPs and CPPs.
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We attempted to identify psychological comorbidities that are associated with the propensity for prescription opioid abuse. ⋯ Patients in chronic pain should be assessed for psychological and addiction disorders because they are at increased risk for abusing opioids. They should also be referred for psychosocial treatment as part of their care, where appropriate.
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The emergency department (ED) can be a particularly challenging environment in which to offer care for chronic pain. This study tried to determine if beliefs held by patients and providers about noncancer-related chronic pain affect evaluation and management of pain in ED. ⋯ Patients in chronic pain may need to be reassured that their pain will be treated, even in the absence of objective signs or magnified symptoms. Providers may wrongly believe that lack of a primary care physician brings these patients to the ED. Providers and patients appear to believe that treating chronic pain in the ED has a low priority. Both groups may underestimate the problems inherent with prescribing opioids in this setting.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Rationale, design, and baseline findings from a randomized trial of collaborative care for chronic musculoskeletal pain in primary care.
This article describes the rationale, design, and baseline findings from an ongoing study of collaborative care for chronic musculoskeletal pain and comorbid depression. ⋯ These baseline data support the rationale to develop a multifaceted approach to treat chronic pain in primary care that includes detection and treatment of psychiatric comorbidity.
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Multicenter Study
Complementary and alternative medicine use by primary care patients with chronic pain.
To describe the characteristics and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among primary care patients with chronic pain disorders and to determine if CAM use is associated with better pain control. ⋯ Complementary and alternative therapies were popular among patients with chronic pain disorders surveyed in academic primary care settings. When asked to choose between traditional therapies or CAM, most patients still preferred traditional therapies for pain relief. We found no association between reported CAM usage and pain severity, functional status, or self-efficacy.