Expectation management

Patient expectations and beliefs about their condition, treatments and experiences are powerful predictors of treatment outcome. Realistic expectations improve pain management outcomes by decreasing the threat value of pain, minimising reliance on medications, and increasing engagement with functional strategies (eg exercise, goal setting, activity pacing). Examples of expectation management include discussing a patient’s postoperative pain expectations prior to surgery, or educating a patient about the realistic efficacy of analgesics for chronic pain. Incorrect or unhelpful expectations may prevent active participation in a more useful activity.