Premium
Developing a new model of care for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain
Author(s) -
RYAN SARAH,
HASSELL ANDREW,
THWAITES CATHARINE,
MANLEY KIM,
HOME DIANE
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2934.2007.00761.x
Subject(s) - musculoskeletal pain , medicine , chronic pain , physical therapy , pain management , nursing management , nursing , physical medicine and rehabilitation
Aim To evaluate the impact of a nurse consultant in developing a new model of care for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Background Patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain experience fragmented care and long waits to have their symptoms assessed [Clinical Standards Advisory Group (2000) Services for Patients with Pain . Department of Health, London]. A nurse consultant post was created to implement a chronic musculoskeletal pain service and prevent inappropriate referrals to other services. Methods Seven peers participated in a semi‐structured, qualitative, audio‐taped interview to evaluate the impact of the nurse consultant's role. Data were analysed using content analysis. A retrospective audit of 60 patients was conducted to determine utilization of hospital services following attendance at the pain clinic. Results Two main themes were identified from the interview data included: (1) the influence of the nurse consultant in implementing a chronic pain service and (2) the clinical leadership skills of the nurse consultant. The audit demonstrated that majority of patients ( n = 53) were utilizing less hospital specialities. Conclusion The nurse consultant's role was pivotal in the implementation of the chronic pain service.