title: Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about chronic noncancer pain in primary care: a Canadian survey of physicians and pharmacists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary care providers' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs (KAB) regarding chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) are a barrier to optimal management.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and identify the determinants of the KAB of primary care physicians and pharmacists, and to document clinician preferences regarding the content and format of a continuing education program (CEP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Physicians and pharmacists of 486 CNCP patients participated. Physicians completed the original version of the KnowPain-50 questionnaire. Pharmacists completed a modified version. A multivariate linear regression model was developed to identify the determinants of their KAB.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 137 of 387 (35.4%) physicians and 110&nbsp;of 278&nbsp;(39.5%) pharmacists completed the survey. Compared with the physicians, the pharmacists surveyed included more women (64% versus 38%) and had less clinical experience (15 years versus 26 years). The mean KnowPain-50 score was 69.3% (95% CI 68.0% to 70.5%) for physicians and 63.8% (95% CI 62.5% to 65.1%) for pharmacists. Low scores were observed on all aspects of pain management: initial assessment (physicians, 68.3%; pharmacists, 65.4%); definition of treatment goals and expectations (76.1%; 61.6%); development of a treatment plan (66.4%; 59.0%); and reassessment and management of longitudinal care (64.3%; 53.1%). Ten hours of reported CEP sessions increased the KAB score by 0.3 points. All clinicians considered a CEP for CNCP to be essential. Physicians preferred an interactive format, while pharmacists had no clear preferences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A CEP to improve primary care providers' knowledge and competency in managing CNCP, and to reduce false beliefs and inappropriate attitudes regarding CNCP is relevant and perceived as necessary by clinicians.
authors.forename: Lyne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lalonde
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leroux-Lapointe
authors.forename: Manon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Choinière
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lussier
authors.forename: Djamal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berbiche
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lamarre
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thiffault
authors.forename: Ghaya
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jouini
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perreault
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'