Physician-to-physician telephone consultations for chronic pain patients: A pragmatic randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The impact of telephone consultations between pain specialists and primary care physicians regarding the care of patients with chronic pain is unknown.

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of telephone consultations between pain specialists and primary care physicians regarding the care of patients with chronic pain.

Methods

Patients referred to an interdisciplinary chronic pain service were randomly assigned to either receive usual care by the primary care physician, or to have their case discussed in a telephone consultation between a pain specialist and the referring primary care physician. Patients completed a numerical rating scale for pain, the Pain Disability Index and the Short Form-36 on referral, as well as three and six months later. Primary care ph

SUBMITTER: Clark AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4676497 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature