Chronic pain-related patient-provider communication: The significance of health related quality of life and satisfaction

Abstract

Abstract Aims To investigate patients’ perception of chronic pain related patient-provider communication in relation to socio-demographic and pain-related variables. Methods Apostal questionnaire measuring socio-demographic variables, pain characteristics, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), pain-related health care utilization and perceived patient provider communication, was sent to a sample of 4500 individuals randomly drawn from the national population of Iceland. Relationships between patient perceived patient-provider communication and perceived outcome, satisfaction with care as well as sociodemographic and pain-related variables were tested by using bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis. Results The prevalence of chronic pain (≥3months) among respondents was 47.5%. Among participants reporting chronic pain, 53.2% had consulted a health care provider for pain during the previous six months. Patients’ perception of providers’ behaviour and control in the communication was mostly related to pain impact on daily life and physical components of HRQoL as well as to patients’ satisfaction with health care providers. The more pain interfered with daily life and impaired patients’ physical health, the more they felt that the provider did not spend time to listen to their concerns and discuss symptoms and treatment options. Patients’ perception of own activity and control in the patient-provider communication and participation in care was related to socio-demographic variables but not with pain related variables. Conclusions To be understood as an individual and having their concerns legitimized by the health care provider is crucial for patients when consulting health care for chronic pain. The more pain interferes with daily life and impairs HRQoL, the more important this is. Patients’ perception of own control in patient-provider communication and participation in care is more related to socio-demographics than pain related variables.