Links between perceived general practitioner support and the wellbeing of Australian patients with persistent pain.

Background And Objectives: Approximately one-fifth of the population have persistent pain of moderate-to-severe intensity, which affects patients physically, mentally, psychosocially and financially. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between self‑reported wellbeing of patients with persistent pain attending a pain clinic and perceptions of care from general practitioners (GPs) and other treating health professionals.

Method: Patients with persistent pain completed a self-administered survey.

Perceived patient benefits from using prescription opioids and other therapies to manage persistent pain.

Objective: There is current controversy surrounding the long-term prescription of opioids to persistent pain (PP) pa-tients due to potential dangers of addiction and overdose. This study is the first to explore the perspectives of PP pa-tients attending a multidisciplinary pain clinic on the benefits associated with using opioids and other self-medication strategies for pain relief.

Design, Patients, And Setting: Cross-sectional study utilizing a self-administered survey of patients attending an Austra-lian General Practice pain clinic for treatment of PP for at least 1 year (n = 93; response rate = 89 percent).

A feasibility study of transdermal buprenorphine versus transdermal fentanyl in the long-term management of persistent non-cancer pain.

Objective: Buprenorphine and fentanyl transdermal patches are used widely for the management of persistent malignant and nonmalignant pain. Buprenorphine and fentanyl transdermal patches, both potent opioids, are considered to be equally efficacious in managing persistent pain. Various retrospective studies comparing dosage changes of buprenorphine and fentanyl patches in persistent pain patients have been completed; however, no long-term prospective, randomized, clinical study has compared the effectiveness of these patches.