title: Treatment and the process of care in musculoskeletal conditions. A multidisciplinary perspective and integration.
abstract: Chronic musculoskeletal pain for which there is not an obvious underlying physical cause is one of the most common reasons for long-term disability. There is a need to develop better ways of managing these problems. Improving the understanding of the basis for decision making, the processes of care, and the beliefs and expectations of patients and health care professionals seems as fundamental as basic laboratory science is to understanding inflammatory arthopathies. Little is known about the beliefs and expectations of patients and health care professionals, nor the multitude of factors such as traditions within professional groups, education, and language that professionals use in decision making. When better understanding of these factors and the mismatch between professionals and patients is achieved, then theoretical frameworks, treatment approaches, and the education of professionals in appropriate management will be improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy Studies, Primary Care Sciences Research Center, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK. n.foster@keele.ac.uk
authors.forename: Nadine E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pincus
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Underwood
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Breen
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Harding
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care