Success or failure of chronic pain rehabilitation: the importance of good interaction – a qualitative study under patients and professionals

Abstract

This study provides insight into factors which were related to a positively or negatively experienced outcome of pain rehabilitation. A good match within the patient-professional interaction seems essential. IMPLICATIONS OF REHABILITATION: Within chronic pain rehabilitation good didactic skills and a client-centered attitude of the professional may be helpful in order to make the patient feel being taken seriously. An assessment of the patient's learning style might lead to a better fit of the patient education and training according to an individual's learning style. Relapse might be prevented by paying special attention to the integration of new behavior within important life areas as work and sports.

Mixed Experiences and Perceptions of Psychological Treatment for Chronic Pain in Singapore: Skepticism, Ambivalence, Satisfaction, and Potential

“…Studies in western populations find that patients who perceive that their pain is taken seriously and received an explanation that coincided with their own experiences, are more likely to accept an active role in managing their pain . Similarly, as shown in our study, acceptance of the referral to see a psychologist was facilitated by a clear explanation of the usefulness of psychological intervention from the health professional treating them.…”

Change Narratives That Elude Quantification: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of How People with Chronic Pain Perceive Pain Rehabilitation

“…Previous research suggests that clinical assessment can be a useful means of providing patients with feedback regarding their progress [96–99] and that increased awareness of successful performance increases motivation and confidence [83, 100]. However, our results suggest that using traditional pain-related questionnaires on their own might not be sufficient for communicating this feedback to patients.…”

What Influences Patient-Therapist Interactions in Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy? Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis

“…An open interaction was explained as the professional having a calm, personal manner and being able to listen well. The lack of these two components was reported to be associated with a failure in rehabilitation 40. This was strongly evident in the studies included in the current review.…”

“…Both were viewed as barriers to good communication. The same studies3,40,42 revealed that education using complex medical jargon hindered interaction and successful rehabilitation. Discrepancies in the explanation of factors involved in pain between professionals and patients were not deemed to be advantageous to interaction and outcome.…”