Pain Management, 2024/12, 14(12):625-632. doi: 10.1080/17581869.2024.2436836, type of study: ,css,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17581869.2024.2436836)

Keywords:

chronic pain [323]
cross sectional study [894]
New Zealand [39]
osteopathic practice [30]
osteopaths [269]

Abstract:

Background: Chronic pain management is challenging. Those with chronic pain present to health professionals, including osteopaths. Methods: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey of the Osteopathy Research Connect–New Zealand (ORC-NZ), a practice-based research network (PBRN). Demographic, practice, and treatment characteristics of osteopaths who ‘often’ and ‘not often’ treat chronic pain patients were collected. Results: Two hundred and seventy-seven (277) NZ osteopaths responded and just over half (50.7% N = 138) reported ‘often’ treating chronic pain patients. This group, who have a similar male-to-female ratio, often use a diagnostic screening questionnaire (aOR 3.78), and often treat patients with non-musculoskeletal complaints (aOR 3.12) and tendinopathies (aOR 3.41). Conclusions: This study highlights practice and clinical management characteristics of NZ osteopaths who manage chronic pain patients.