What do patients expect from their first visit to a pain clinic?

OBJECTIVE: To examine patients' expectations of their first outpatient visit to a pain clinic. We asked patients what would be the most satisfying and the most disappointing outcomes of their visit and whether they expected changes in medication and further investigations to result from their consultation.

DESIGN: Patients completed questionnaires and a structured interview to assess expectations before their clinic appointment.

METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with chronic pain who were first time referrals to a regional pain clinic participated in the study. Patient expectations and questionnaires measuring depression and pain-related disability were completed prior to the pain clinic appointment.

RESULTS: Most patients expected an explanation or an improved understanding of their pain problem. The most common satisfying outcome was relief or control of pain, and the most common disappointing outcome was being told nothing could be done. The majority of patients expected further medical investigations and changes to the prescribed medication. Depression and pain-related disability strongly influenced patient expectations.

CONCLUSIONS: For patients attending pain clinics, the explanation of their pain problem is rated as important as the cure or relief of their pain. Improved understanding of patient expectations by pain clinic clinicians may lead to greater patient satisfaction and reduced treatment dropout.