"More than half (56%) of respondents reported suffering from pain for more than five years. Yet only 22% had been referred to a specialized pain treatment program or clinic, which offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to care. In fact, 49% of those currently being treated for very severe pain WERE STILL BEING SEEN BY A FAMILY DOCTOR OR INTERNIST."
"Pain that persists and impairs a person's ability to be productive and enjoy life OFTEN REQUIRES EVALUATION AND TREATMENT BY A TEAM OF HEALTH-CARE PROFESSIONALS WHO SPECIALIZE IN PAIN,"says Dr. Portenoy. "But too often, PATIENTS DON'T SEEK OUT THIS OPTION BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT AWARE OF IT, AND PHYSICIANS DON'T REFER THEM."
"The most common reasons for the decision to search for a new doctor were "too much pain" (42%), the perception that THEIR LAST PHYSICIAN DID NOT KNOW A LOT ABOUT PAIN TREATMENT (31%), the belief that THEIR DOCTOR DIDN'T TAKE THEIR PAIN SERIOUSLY ENOUGH (29%) and THE PHYSICIAN'S UNWILLINGNESS TO TREAT THEIR PAIN AGGRESSIVELY (27%).
NOTE: PLEASE GO TO THE ABOVE WEBSITE TO READ THIS ENTIRE ARTICLE.