Medical College of Wisconsin
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Perceived treatment helpfulness and cost in chronic pain rehabilitation. Clin J Pain 2000 Jun;16(2):169-77

Date

06/28/2000

Pubmed ID

10870730

DOI

10.1097/00002508-200006000-00011

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0034045389 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   27 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This article examines the perceived helpfulness of treatment components in comprehensive interdisciplinary pain management programs as they relate to cost.

DESIGN: Patient satisfaction results assessed by the Treatment Helpfulness Questionnaire (THQ) and treatment costs were compared for 309 subjects at three comprehensive interdisciplinary chronic pain management centers. All subjects completed the THQ immediately after treatment, and follow-up data were gathered 3 to 6 months after the end of treatment at two of the three centers.

RESULTS: Ratings of treatment helpfulness were not found to be related to either demographic or medical variables. Mean THQ ratings for many treatment modalities did differ significantly between centers, but subjects at all centers generally gave higher THQ ratings to psychological and educational therapies than to physical therapy and medical modalities both at posttreatment and at follow-up evaluations. More costly treatments generally did not receive higher ratings than less costly ones. THQ ratings tended to decline modestly from posttreatment to follow-up evaluations.

CONCLUSIONS: For the selected population of patients undergoing comprehensive interdisciplinary pain management, educational and psychological approaches received high ratings of helpfulness at a relatively low cost. Further research is needed to address whether comparative patient satisfaction data can be used at pain centers to produce improved outcomes at reduced costs.

Author List

Chapman SL, Jamison RN, Sanders SH, Lyman DR, Lynch NT

Author

N Timothy Lynch PhD Adjunct Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Chronic Disease
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Health Care Surveys
Humans
Male
Pain
Pain Clinics
Treatment Outcome