The knowledge and beliefs of family care givers about chronic pain patients.
The knowledge and beliefs of 34 care givers (CGs) of chronic pain clinic patients were assessed regarding the causes of the patients' disorders, the CGs' preferred treatment and their contribution to it. Most CGs expressed dissatisfaction with previous investigations. They believed that there might be an undiscovered physical cause and favoured physical treatments, despite unsuccessful multiple past physical investigations and management. They claimed that they had been offered little information by medical staff or other health professionals concerning causes and treatment and nothing regarding how they could help. However, a few CGs had positive views concerning psychological contributions to aetiology, the potential value of increased activity and their own contribution to this, but these had not been exploited. Almost all CGs had previously been closely involved in the provision of care for invalids. Care givers were more likely to pursue physical explanations and treatments if pain duration was less than two years and preferred rest for female and older patients. We conclude that CGs lack essential information concerning the causes of chronic pain, its appropriate treatment and their own potential contribution. This may be an important impediment to successful rehabilitation.
Benjamin
S
S
University of Manchester, U.K.
Mawer
J
J
Lennon
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation