The role of general practitioners in chronic pain management

The majority of care for patients with chronic pain is delivered by general practitioners (GPs), in part because multidisciplinary pain service resources are limited. GPs with appropriate training can effectively provide a multidimensional approach to care via repeated short consultations. A useful tool to help GPs manage patients with chronic pain, including advice on engaging other healthcare providers and developing an individualised management plan, can be found on the Agency for Clinical Innovation website.

GPs can refer to other healthcare practitioners to address particular patient needs to support a multidimensional approach. For example, referral to:

• a physiotherapist for patients who are deconditioned
• a psychologist if the pain is associated with negative mood and behaviours
• multidisciplinary pain services to address complexity and lack of progress with GP-based care.

For children and adolescents younger than 16 years, seek out allied health professionals experienced working with children and adolescents. If referral to a multidisciplinary pain service is indicated, refer to a children’s service.