Clinicians' perceptions of barriers to pain management in AIDS Journal Article


Authors: Breitbart, W.; Kaim, M.; Rosenfeld, B.
Article Title: Clinicians' perceptions of barriers to pain management in AIDS
Abstract: A growing body of literature has demonstrated the widespread undertreatment of pain in patients with AIDS. While clinician-related barriers to cancer pain management have been studied, to date there has been no systematic attempt to survey clinician-related barriers to the management of pain in patients with AIDS. We surveyed AIDS health care providers' attitudes towards pain management, as well as their perception of the barriers to adequate pain management in patients with HIV disease. Subjects were 492 AIDS care providers attending continuing education symposia on the clinical management of pain in patients with AIDS in 5 major U.S. cities (New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami). Results indicated that the most frequently endorsed barriers to pain management were those regarding lack of knowledge about pain management or access to pain management experts, and concerns regarding potential substance abuse or addiction. Experience in the management of pain in patients with AIDS was inversely correlated with endorsement of barriers related to pain management expertise and concern regarding potential substance abuse. More experienced clinicians were significantly less likely to cite these factors as barriers to pain management. More knowledgeable respondents were significantly more likely to identify barriers to pain management and individuals with more conservative attitudes towards pain management were significantly more likely to cite substance abuse issues or medical concerns as barriers to pain management.
Keywords: adult; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; united states; clinical practice; pain; questionnaires; medical education; conservative treatment; attitude of health personnel; acquired immune deficiency syndrome; acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; physician attitude; pain measurement; analgesia; health personnel; hiv; pain management; substance abuse; barriers; clinician; humans; human; male; female; article
Journal Title: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Volume: 18
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0885-3924
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 1999-09-01
Start Page: 203
End Page: 212
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/s0885-3924(99)00077-9
PUBMED: 10517042
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 16 August 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. William S Breitbart
    505 Breitbart
  2. Monique C Kaim
    6 Kaim