TABLE 5.
Needs and preferences of physicians and pharmacists regarding the format and content of a continuing education program (CEP) for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) and its treatment
| Pharmacists (n=109) | Physicians (n=136) | |
|---|---|---|
| From your standpoint, is there a need for a CEP in CNCP for primary care physicians (or pharmacists)? | ||
| Yes | 109 (100) | 136 (100) |
| What would be the best educational vehicle(s) or method(s) for a CEP? | ||
| Interactive activities or courses (PBL) | 52 (47.7) | 89 (65.4) |
| Self-learning modules (paper format) | 51 (46.8) | 48 (35.5) |
| Scientific presentations by peers | 45 (41.3) | 55 (40.4) |
| Self-learning modules (Internet based) | 37 (33.9) | 58 (42.6) |
| Formal lectures | 34 (31.2) | 49 (36.0) |
| Training days in a pain management clinic | 31 (28.4) | 37 (27.2) |
| Other | 0 (0.0) | 10 (7.4) |
| In which area(s) would you like to have more training with regard to CNCP? | ||
| Review of Canadian and/or Quebec guideline recommendations | 84 (77.1) | 64 (47.1) |
| Indication and use of: | ||
| Anticonvulsants | 70 (64.2) | 41 (30.1) |
| Antidepressants | 67 (61.5) | 38 (27.9) |
| Opioids | 66 (60.6) | 42 (30.9) |
| NSAIDs and coxibs | 53 (48.6) | 25 (18.4) |
| Pharmacists’ specific topics | ||
| Detection and management of drug-related problems | 61 (56.0) | – |
| Pharmaceutical care with analgesic dose adjustment | 59 (54.1) | – |
| Nonpharmacological methods to manage chronic pain | 58 (53.2) | – |
| Detection and management of side effects | 43 (39.4) | – |
| Physician-pharmacist workshop on collaborative practices | 41 (37.6) | – |
| Diagnosis update | 30 (27.5) | – |
| Physicians’ specific topics | ||
| Differential diagnoses of chronic pain syndromes | 97 (71.3) | |
| Trigger-point-injection intervention techniques; joint or muscle infiltration | 61 (44.9) | |
| Psychological techniques for chronic pain | 55 (40.4) | |
| Indication and referral procedure for patient to a multidisciplinary pain management clinic | 55 (40.4) | |
| Physical assessment of patient | 50 (36.8) | |
| Psychological assessment of patient | 44 (32.4) | |
| Psychological follow-up of patient | 41 (30.1) | |
| Physical follow-up of patient | 36 (26.5) | |
| Physical treatment techniques for chronic pain | 35 (25.7) | |
| Radiological assessment of patient | 24 (17.6) | |
| Other | 9 (6.6) |
Data presented as n (%). Coxib Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor; NSAID Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; PBL Problem-based learning