Perceptions of health professionals on non-pharmacological measures for the management of chronic pain

Abstract

Introduction: pain as a multi-causal problem is mainly addressed, only from the pharmacological field. Which, hinders a comprehensive management of patients. Objective: to identify the perceptions of a group of health professionals (nursing and medicine professionals) from Medellín city, regarding the use of non-pharmacological measures for the treatment of chronic pain in adults. Methodology: qualitative research with a particularistic ethnographic approach. The participants were selected through the snowball technique and contacted by telephone to arrange an in-depth face-to-face interview. A transcription and analysis of information was carried out simultaneously, until a category map was built. Results: four realities determine the use of non-pharmacological treatment by professionals in medicine and nursing. These are: the conception of pain that each health professional has, professional training, experience and the scope of health institutions. Conclusion: although non-pharmacological management can be effective, there is little training of professionals in pain management, and barriers such as the social and cultural context, the westernization of knowledge, bureaucratization of the health system, protocolization of care, lack of credibility in this type of treatment and financial difficulties to access this type of therapy.