Clinical conversations in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain in vulnerable patient populations: a meta-ethnography

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this meta-ethnography was to synthesize the research exploring patient/provider perceptions of clinical conversations (CC) centered on chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) in vulnerable adult populations.

Materials and methods

A systematic search for qualitative/mixed method studies in CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Sociology Database in ProQuest, and Web of Science used PRIMSA-P guidelines. Data synthesis used eMERGe guidelines; findings were presented in nested hierarchal theoretical frameworks.

Results

The included studies explored patients’ (n = 18), providers’ (n = 2), or patients’ and providers’ perspectives (n = 5) with diversity in patient participants represented (n = 415): immigrants, indigenous people, women, and veterans. Themes for each level of the nested hierarchal models revealed greater complexity in patients’ perceptions about the CC in CMP relative to clinicians’ perceptions. A unique finding was sociopolitical/historical factors can influence CC for vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

The combined nested hierarchical models provided insight into the need for clinicians to be aware of the broader array of influences on the CC. Key themes indicated that improving continuity of care and cultural training are needed to improve the CC. Additionally, due to patients’ perception of how healthcare systems’ policies influence the CC, patients should be consulted to guide the change needed to improve inequitable outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Healthcare providers wishing to improve the clinical conversation in chronic musculoskeletal pain can more broadly explore potential factors influencing patients’ experiences and perceptions.

• Screening during the clinical conversation can include assessing for sociopolitical and historical influences on patients’ experiences with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

• Healthcare providers can explore how to minimize disjointed care in an effort to improve the clinical conversation and outcomes in chronic musculoskeletal pain.

• Healthcare providers and patients can work together to improve inequitable outcomes for vulnerable adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

• This may include cultural training for healthcare providers that is informed by patients.

Keywords:

• Systematic review
• communication
• chronic pain
• vulnerable population
• patient-provider relationship

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Eric Hegedus, PT, Ph.D., and Ramakrishnan Mani, Ph.D. for their invaluable assistant in developing this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).