Chronic pain healthcare workers’ challenges in pain management and receptiveness towards VR as an adjunct management tool: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Chronic pain is often a debilitating condition that affects individuals physically and mentally. Reliance on pharmacotherapy for pain management comes with risks of analgesic misuse and dependence. Hence, non-pharmacologic treatment plays a crucial role in pain management. Virtua...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Digital Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s44247-024-00073-0 |
| _version_ | 1797199203378659328 |
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| author | Lydia Weiling Li Tan Hui Yi Nang Ei Ei Khaing |
| author_facet | Lydia Weiling Li Tan Hui Yi Nang Ei Ei Khaing |
| author_sort | Lydia Weiling Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Chronic pain is often a debilitating condition that affects individuals physically and mentally. Reliance on pharmacotherapy for pain management comes with risks of analgesic misuse and dependence. Hence, non-pharmacologic treatment plays a crucial role in pain management. Virtual reality is a novel method in chronic pain management. However, there is little understanding about healthcare providers’ perspectives on the use of virtual reality technology in managing chronic pain. This study aims to explore the current management challenges faced by chronic pain healthcare providers and their perspectives on using virtual reality as adjunctive therapy in managing chronic pain. Method Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted among all chronic pain healthcare providers in a tertiary hospital. The interviews were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Results Eight chronic pain healthcare providers participated in this study. Financial issues were cited as one of the biggest barriers to utilisation of non-pharmacological treatment. Participants highlighted the importance of psychosocial support from family and healthcare providers. Challenges identified included absence of patient engagement and lack of awareness about pain management among healthcare providers as well as the lack of an integrated multidisciplinary approach in our healthcare system. Participants were receptive towards the use of virtual reality in chronic pain management and offered ample opinions and suggestions for its application in chronic pain management. Conclusions A multilevel, multifaceted approach is needed to improve chronic pain management. Virtual reality technology could be considered as an adjunct therapy to address some of the challenges and limitations identified in this study. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T07:12:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-940a6faf11084984aa49248145878e10 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2731-684X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T07:12:01Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Digital Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-940a6faf11084984aa49248145878e102024-04-21T11:31:06ZengBMCBMC Digital Health2731-684X2024-04-012111010.1186/s44247-024-00073-0Chronic pain healthcare workers’ challenges in pain management and receptiveness towards VR as an adjunct management tool: a qualitative studyLydia Weiling Li0Tan Hui Yi1Nang Ei Ei Khaing2Department of Anaesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care, Changi General HospitalDepartment of Anaesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care, Changi General HospitalHealth Services Research, Changi General HospitalAbstract Background Chronic pain is often a debilitating condition that affects individuals physically and mentally. Reliance on pharmacotherapy for pain management comes with risks of analgesic misuse and dependence. Hence, non-pharmacologic treatment plays a crucial role in pain management. Virtual reality is a novel method in chronic pain management. However, there is little understanding about healthcare providers’ perspectives on the use of virtual reality technology in managing chronic pain. This study aims to explore the current management challenges faced by chronic pain healthcare providers and their perspectives on using virtual reality as adjunctive therapy in managing chronic pain. Method Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted among all chronic pain healthcare providers in a tertiary hospital. The interviews were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Results Eight chronic pain healthcare providers participated in this study. Financial issues were cited as one of the biggest barriers to utilisation of non-pharmacological treatment. Participants highlighted the importance of psychosocial support from family and healthcare providers. Challenges identified included absence of patient engagement and lack of awareness about pain management among healthcare providers as well as the lack of an integrated multidisciplinary approach in our healthcare system. Participants were receptive towards the use of virtual reality in chronic pain management and offered ample opinions and suggestions for its application in chronic pain management. Conclusions A multilevel, multifaceted approach is needed to improve chronic pain management. Virtual reality technology could be considered as an adjunct therapy to address some of the challenges and limitations identified in this study.https://doi.org/10.1186/s44247-024-00073-0Chronic painVirtual realityHealthcare providers' perspectivesPain management |
| spellingShingle | Lydia Weiling Li Tan Hui Yi Nang Ei Ei Khaing Chronic pain healthcare workers’ challenges in pain management and receptiveness towards VR as an adjunct management tool: a qualitative study BMC Digital Health Chronic pain Virtual reality Healthcare providers' perspectives Pain management |
| title | Chronic pain healthcare workers’ challenges in pain management and receptiveness towards VR as an adjunct management tool: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Chronic pain healthcare workers’ challenges in pain management and receptiveness towards VR as an adjunct management tool: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Chronic pain healthcare workers’ challenges in pain management and receptiveness towards VR as an adjunct management tool: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chronic pain healthcare workers’ challenges in pain management and receptiveness towards VR as an adjunct management tool: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Chronic pain healthcare workers’ challenges in pain management and receptiveness towards VR as an adjunct management tool: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | chronic pain healthcare workers challenges in pain management and receptiveness towards vr as an adjunct management tool a qualitative study |
| topic | Chronic pain Virtual reality Healthcare providers' perspectives Pain management |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s44247-024-00073-0 |
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