WEEK 3: Clinical Skills PAIN in neuromusculoskeletal conditions

Question 1

Outline the effects of pain.

Answer 1

1. Psychological aspect: Low self-esteem, social isolation
2. Loss of productivity and learning
3. Major motivation for disability claims
4. Increase healthcare treatment related costs to pain management.
5. Uncomfortable and affects the quality of life.

Question 2

Why most low earners tend to seek or claim loss of income support due to pain?

Answer 2

Financial Strain:
Low earners often face financial challenges, and experiencing pain may limit their ability to work. Seeking income support due to pain can be a way to cope with the financial strain caused by medical issues.

Limited Job Options:
Low-wage jobs may involve physical labor or lack benefits such as paid sick leave. In such situations, individuals facing health issues may feel compelled to seek income support to make up for lost wages during periods of pain or illness.

Access to Healthcare:
Limited access to affordable healthcare may mean that individuals delay seeking medical attention until their condition has become more severe. When pain becomes debilitating, individuals may turn to income support as a last resort.

Policy and Social Factors:
Welfare policies and social safety nets can influence individuals’ choices. If there are programs available that provide support for individuals experiencing pain or health-related issues, some low earners may turn to these resources.

Disability Assistance:
In some cases, individuals may seek disability benefits due to chronic pain that significantly impacts their ability to work. The process of obtaining disability benefits often involves providing evidence of the medical condition and its impact on daily functioning.

Question 3

State reasons for poor pain management.

Answer 3

*Limited understanding of pain by healthcare workers
*Pain is subjective
*Poor assessment includes lack of pain assessment tools such as various tests and scales of questionnaire.
*Reliability of reports about pain and disability are nor assessed.

Question 4

When pain assessment is thoroughly done, treatment is likely to be effective.

Outline effective ways of dealing with pain.

Answer 4

Right choice of medication

Timely and appropriate referral

Multidisciplinary approach

Counselling and psychological consultation intervention if a psychological aspect is involved.

Incorporate people’s cultural beliefs in treatment planning.

Question 5

Pain can act as a motivator. Outline reasons for motivating pain and disability.

Answer 5

1. Sick leave (workers and students
2. Sympathy and pity from others in relationships
3. Financial gains
4. Redeployment and transfers

Question 6

Tests that can be done to check dependability and accuracy of pain reports.

What can one look for?

Answer 6

Check for presence or absence of non-organic finding which have to do with illness behavior than actual.

Question 7

Outline the types of pain scales.

Answer 7

Numeric scale
Functional scale

Question 8

State other tests to check for accuracy of pain reports.

Answer 8

*Wadell’s non-organic signs: Checks for illness behavior. If negative no illness behavior. Only 2 positives allowed.

*Dallas Dain Questionnaire
*Beck depression Index
*Spine function sort test
*Hand function test
*Upper extremity function test
*Lower extremity function test