[Attitudes, knowledge and training needs in chronic pain: national survey of family doctors members of semfyc].

OBJECTIVE

To analyze knowledge, attitudes, and training needs regarding chronic pain among family physicians who are members of SemFYC.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional descriptive study using an anonymous, self-administered online survey.

SETTING

Primary care at the national level.

PARTICIPANTS

700 semFYC members, family physicians or residents. Non-probabilistic convenience sampling was used.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Questionnaire including sociodemographic variables, professional attitudes (items on clinical practices and self-reported perceptions), knowledge of pain neurophysiology (Spanish R-NPQ questionnaire), and perceived training needs.

RESULTS

69.3% prescribe minor opioids for chronic musculoskeletal pain and, if unresponsive, 34.9% would opt for major opioids. 32.2% request early X-ray for nonspecific low back pain. More than 90% recommend non-pharmacological strategies. 58% perceive having few tools for managing persistent pain, and over 94% demand specific training. The R-NPQ questionnaire revealed significant knowledge gaps, particularly in key items. In the multivariate analysis, lower scores were associated with older age. By professional experience, family medicine residents (MIR) tended to order more imaging tests and explain less about pain physiology.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial training gaps and discrepancies between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice were observed, especially among residents. These findings underscore the need to implement systematic educational strategies, based on the biopsychosocial model, to improve training and the management of chronic pain in primary care.