A cross-sectional study on pain neurophysiology knowledge among Spanish primary healthcare professionals

Abstract

Abstract Healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge and beliefs about pain are known to influence the treatment outcomes. The objective of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to evaluate the knowledge of the neurophysiology of pain among HCPs working with pain patients in primary care. Physiotherapists, nurses, physicians, nursing assistants, social workers and dentists of primary care were surveyed using the Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (NPQ)(range 0–19) between September-December of 2022. Data on demographics, job-related information, own chronic musculoskeletal pain experience and specific training in the management/treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain were collected and analyzed. Out of 1265 HCPs contacted, 510 (40.3%) participated and completed the survey. They were mostly women (78%), with a mean age of 49.5 ± 11.9 years. The NPQ score was 12.8 ± 2. Physiotherapists scored highest (14.4 ± 2). HCPs with chronic musculoskeletal pain scored less than those without, 12.5 ± 2 vs. 13 ± 1.8 (p < 0.01). The most reported areas of pain were the lumbar spine (25.3%) and neck (24.5%). No differences were found between sexes, age or healthcare profession. Primary HCPs demonstrated low to moderate levels of knowledge in pain neurophysiology, with room for improvement, particularly among those experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain themselves. These findings suggest a need for enhanced pain management training, both within university curricula and through ongoing professional development programs for HCPs.

Keywords

• Chronic musculoskeletal pain
• Pain knowledge
• Pain management
• Pain perceptions
• Primary care
• Survey