Abstract
Introduction
Chronic pain is a complex social and health challenge, as it represents a life-changing burden. In outpatient healthcare, where clear structures and guidelines for interprofessional collaboration (IPC) are lacking, people with chronic pain (PWCP) and health professionals (HPs) encounter barriers. This study aims to identify the needs of PWCPs in the Swiss outpatient healthcare system and to compare these needs with the views of HPs.
Method
The study employed a two-phase qualitative research design. Phase one was a secondary analysis of seven narrative semi-structured individual interviews with PWCPs, while phase two involved transcribing and inductively analyzing three individual interviews and three focus group discussions with HPs.
Results
Inhibiting and promoting factors were categorized into five themes at the individual, social, and political levels from both perspectives. IPC was central to HPs, including physiotherapy, whereas PWCP focused on interpersonal aspects for successful treatment.
Conclusion
Complex clinical pictures with biopsychosocial effects require interdisciplinary approaches to meet the needs and requirements of PWCP and HPs and to achieve patient-centered treatment goals.