Improving Access to Chronic Pain Care Needed

Chronic pain is an increasing problem in the developed world, however, limited medical resources are causing longer than desirable waiting periods for assessment and treatment for the pain. According to recent statistics, chronic pain affects 15 percent to 29 percent of the general population.

The authors of this article reviewed the access to chronic care treatment and the effects of increasing waiting times.

Researchers reviewed the literature to identify studies that reviewed chronic pain (pain over six months' duration) and wait time between referral and assessment/treatment. Fourteen trials involved wait times of 10 weeks or less, of which six no changes in patients' level of chronic pain. Three trials showed patient improvement during the wait, five trials showed deterioration.

Four trials involved wait times of 12 weeks or longer, with only one showing no change in patient status; the remaining trial subjects showed significant deterioration.

Two studies involved waits of up to six months. Both had significant patient deterioration rates.

The authors concluded that waits of six months from time of referral to treatment - which does not include the time between initial presentation of symptoms and referral - is associated with significant deterioration and depression among patients with chronic pain.