Physician perspectives on chronic pain management: barriers and the use of eHealth in the COVID-19 era
Abstract Background Chronic pain is a highly prevalent and disabling condition which is often undertreated and poorly managed in the community. The emergence of COVID-19 has further complicated pain care, with an increased prevalence of chronic pain and mental health comorbidities, and burnout among...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10157-8 |
| _version_ | 1797577159458422784 |
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| author | Kimberley Kaseweter Mark Nazemi Nina Gregoire W. Francois Louw Zach Walsh Susan Holtzman |
| author_facet | Kimberley Kaseweter Mark Nazemi Nina Gregoire W. Francois Louw Zach Walsh Susan Holtzman |
| author_sort | Kimberley Kaseweter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Chronic pain is a highly prevalent and disabling condition which is often undertreated and poorly managed in the community. The emergence of COVID-19 has further complicated pain care, with an increased prevalence of chronic pain and mental health comorbidities, and burnout among physicians. While the pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in virtual health care visits, the uptake of a broader range of eHealth technologies remains unclear. The present study sought to better understand physicians’ current needs and barriers in providing effective pain care within the context of COVID-19, as well as gauge current use, interest, and ongoing barriers to eHealth implementation. Methods A total of 100 practicing physicians in British Columbia, Canada, completed a brief online survey. Results The sample was comprised of physicians practicing in rural and urban areas (rural = 48%, urban = 42%; both = 10%), with the majority (72%) working in family practice. The most prominent perceived barriers to providing chronic pain care were a lack of interdisciplinary treatment and allied health care for patients, challenges related to opioid prescribing and management, and a lack of time to manage the complexities of chronic pain. Moreover, despite expressing considerable interest in eHealth for chronic pain management (82%), low adoption rates were observed for several technologies. Specifically, only a small percentage of the sample reported using eHealth for the collection of intake data (21%), patient-reported outcomes (14%), and remote patient monitoring (26%). The most common perceived barriers to implementation were cost, complexity, and unfamiliarity with available options. Conclusions Findings provide insight into physicians’ ongoing needs and barriers in providing effective pain management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the potential for eHealth technologies to help address barriers in pain care, and strong interest from physicians, enhanced useability, education and training, and funding are likely required to achieve successful implementation of a broader range of eHealth technologies in the future. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:05:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-264c7bd1b80d4e91857b5e669f4770a0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:05:07Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-264c7bd1b80d4e91857b5e669f4770a02023-11-19T12:49:23ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632023-10-0123111210.1186/s12913-023-10157-8Physician perspectives on chronic pain management: barriers and the use of eHealth in the COVID-19 eraKimberley Kaseweter0Mark Nazemi1Nina Gregoire2W. Francois Louw3Zach Walsh4Susan Holtzman5Department of Psychology, University of British ColumbiaClinical and Wellbeing Solutions, Thrive Health IncDepartment of Psychology, University of British ColumbiaDepartment of Family Practice, University of British ColumbiaDepartment of Psychology, University of British ColumbiaDepartment of Psychology, University of British ColumbiaAbstract Background Chronic pain is a highly prevalent and disabling condition which is often undertreated and poorly managed in the community. The emergence of COVID-19 has further complicated pain care, with an increased prevalence of chronic pain and mental health comorbidities, and burnout among physicians. While the pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in virtual health care visits, the uptake of a broader range of eHealth technologies remains unclear. The present study sought to better understand physicians’ current needs and barriers in providing effective pain care within the context of COVID-19, as well as gauge current use, interest, and ongoing barriers to eHealth implementation. Methods A total of 100 practicing physicians in British Columbia, Canada, completed a brief online survey. Results The sample was comprised of physicians practicing in rural and urban areas (rural = 48%, urban = 42%; both = 10%), with the majority (72%) working in family practice. The most prominent perceived barriers to providing chronic pain care were a lack of interdisciplinary treatment and allied health care for patients, challenges related to opioid prescribing and management, and a lack of time to manage the complexities of chronic pain. Moreover, despite expressing considerable interest in eHealth for chronic pain management (82%), low adoption rates were observed for several technologies. Specifically, only a small percentage of the sample reported using eHealth for the collection of intake data (21%), patient-reported outcomes (14%), and remote patient monitoring (26%). The most common perceived barriers to implementation were cost, complexity, and unfamiliarity with available options. Conclusions Findings provide insight into physicians’ ongoing needs and barriers in providing effective pain management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the potential for eHealth technologies to help address barriers in pain care, and strong interest from physicians, enhanced useability, education and training, and funding are likely required to achieve successful implementation of a broader range of eHealth technologies in the future.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10157-8Chronic painHealth care deliveryBarriersAccess to carePhysician perspectivesPreferences |
| spellingShingle | Kimberley Kaseweter Mark Nazemi Nina Gregoire W. Francois Louw Zach Walsh Susan Holtzman Physician perspectives on chronic pain management: barriers and the use of eHealth in the COVID-19 era BMC Health Services Research Chronic pain Health care delivery Barriers Access to care Physician perspectives Preferences |
| title | Physician perspectives on chronic pain management: barriers and the use of eHealth in the COVID-19 era |
| title_full | Physician perspectives on chronic pain management: barriers and the use of eHealth in the COVID-19 era |
| title_fullStr | Physician perspectives on chronic pain management: barriers and the use of eHealth in the COVID-19 era |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physician perspectives on chronic pain management: barriers and the use of eHealth in the COVID-19 era |
| title_short | Physician perspectives on chronic pain management: barriers and the use of eHealth in the COVID-19 era |
| title_sort | physician perspectives on chronic pain management barriers and the use of ehealth in the covid 19 era |
| topic | Chronic pain Health care delivery Barriers Access to care Physician perspectives Preferences |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10157-8 |
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