Browsing by Subject "chronic pain"

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    Open Access
    Patient satisfaction at the chronic pain management clinic at Groote Schuur hospital
    (2022) Majangara, Munyaradzi Blessing; Parker, Romy; Limakatso, Katleho
    Background: Chronic pain is a costly and debilitating ailment with an estimated global prevalence of 20%. The evaluation of patient satisfaction with pain management is crucial to ensure that care provided remains fit for purpose, and it helps to identify opportunities for improvement. Groote Schuur Hospital has one of the few functional interdisciplinary pain clinics in South Africa with more than 900 patients seen per year. To date we have no data informing us about patient satisfaction at the clinic. The aim of our study was to survey patients being treated at the pain clinic to determine their level of satisfaction with the service. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 67 patients who had been attending the Chronic Pain Management Clinic for more than 3 months. Data were collected telephonically using the patient demographics form and internationally validated Pain Treatment Satisfaction Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The mean age of the 67 participants was 56.5yrs (SD: 12.9; Age range: 18-83). Eighty-one percent of the sample identified as female, and 70% had not completed 12 years of schooling. Most patients were referred from orthopaedics (48%) followed by referrals from day clinics (13.5%). The median pain severity score was 7.5 (IQR: 7-9) a week prior to data collection. The majority (70%) of participants reported that they were able to ask the staff questions and were provided with adequate support and care. Results indicate that 6 in every 10 patients are satisfied with their pain management at the GSH chronic pain management clinic. One aspect of care which was less than satisfactory related to receiving information about their condition and treatment. In general, participants would have liked more information about their illness or injury (51%), causes and treatments for pain, as well as side effects of pain medication (60%). Conclusions: Most participants were somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with all aspects of care they were asked about. It is clear that patient-satisfaction is not only driven by pain relief but can be enhanced by good patient-provider relationships and shared decision making. It is important to continually train health care providers to improve their communication skills.
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    Open Access
    Patient Satisfaction with a Pilot Chronic Pain Management Programme in Cape Town, South Africa
    (2009) Parker, R; Burgess, S; Dubaniewicz, A; Gouws, L; Krone, J; Madden,V; Nortje,C; Parsons, C
    Background: The goals of a chronic pain management clinic includeincreasing patient knowledge about pain, developing pain management skillsand increasing patients’ confidence in their pain management abilities.A Chronic Pain Management Programme (CPMP) based on evidence basedguidelines was developed at a chronic pain management clinic to facilitatepatient discharge to a primary healthcare level. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore patient satisfaction with, acceptability of and the perceived success which could be due to the CPMP developed at the Chronic Pain Management Clinic of Groote Schuur Hospital,Cape Town.Methods: Patients (n=14) were referred to the pilot study from the Chronic Pain Management Clinic. A s a pilot, four courses were run over a period ofone year. In order to reach the research aim, an eleven-question, structuredopen-ended interview was conducted with all participants. Results: Fourteen patients enrolled in the CPMP. Responses were favourable with participants emphasising the roleof increased knowledge about pain, the role of exercise and of stress management techniques. Participants also recog-nised a positive change in behaviours and attitudes following participation in the CPMP.Conclusions: Findings suggest that participants found the format of the course acceptable as regards course content,structure and delivery. Participant responses suggest that the course was acceptable and perceived as useful. However,future courses would benefit from refresher courses or structured support groups.
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    Retrospective cross sectional analysis of an acupuncture intervention for chronic pain management at Groote Schuur Hospital Pain Clinic Cape Town, South Africa
    (2019) Lagerstrom, Nada; Hoare, Jackie; Louw, Kerry-Ann
    In 2015 acupuncture was introduced as an alternative intervention in the management of chronic pain, at the Chronic Pain Management Clinic of Groote Schuur Hospital, a tertiary academic hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis that aimed to investigate several aspects of the acupuncture intervention over a 12 month period. The main outcome measure, the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), is a widely used, internationally validated questionnaire, containing pain intensity, pain interference, and total score. The main objective of this study was to determine if the acupuncture treatment lowered BPI scores after 6 to 9 intervention sessions. Additional objectives were to determine if there are any correlations between demographic and clinical factors and changes in BPI scores, and to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population. The data was obtained by folder reviews of 66 patients with chronic pain who were referred for acupuncture treatment between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015, and attended at least one treatment session. The full treatment course (6-9 sessions) was completed by 24 patients (36,3%), with an average post treatment decrease in BPI of 3,7 points. Responders (patients who obtained 2 and more point BPI decrease) comprised 70,6% of the patients who completed treatment. Decrease in BPI scores after completion of full acupuncture treatment proved to be statistically significant (p=0.002). Factors showing strongest correlation with BPI decrease were female gender and absence of medical and psychiatric co-morbidities.