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Family Practice Vol. 16, No. 5, 475-482
© Oxford University Press 1999

Chronic pain in primary care

Blair H Smith, Jane L Hoptona and W Alastair Chambersb

Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Health Centre, Westburn Drive, Aberdeen AB25 2AY,
a Department of General Practice, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh and
b Pain Management Clinic, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK.

Chronic pain is a very common cause of suffering, disability and economic adversity in the community. It is a complex problem that needs to be understood in a multi-dimensional way for effective management. Most research to date has been based in specialist clinics rather than in primary care, with consequently limited findings. Chronic pain differs from acute pain in that management follows a rehabilitative rather than a treatment model, though these are not mutually exclusive. Full assessment of the patient, preferably multi-disciplinary, will improve his or her outlook. Management should be holistic, rigorous in the application of conventional therapies (including analgesics and physical therapy) and ready to admit an improved understanding of psychological and social techniques. There may be a role for complementary therapies. As a large proportion of chronic pain presents only in the community, there may be a role for greater primary care input to management.

Keywords. Chronic pain, complementary therapies, pain management.


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