Pharmacy Daily | Stigma a real pain in accessing care

THE National Pain Survey 2023 findings have revealed a concerning correlation between chronic pain and mental health challenges, including an increased prevalence of suicidal ideation.

The ChronicPain Australia survey showed that from 2022 to 2023, stigma continues to be a major concern for respondents, with similar findings correlating to experiences from pharmacists, GPs, other health professionals, people in the community, family, friends, work colleagues and employers.

The increase in respondents identifying as male from 13% in 2022 to 20% in 2023 allowed a broader understanding of the challenges men who live with chronic pain are facing.

Breaking down the stigma which prevents men from seeking help and treatment for their chronic pain remains a top issue and is vital to reducing the hardship that the chronic pain community experiences, the survey found.

Meanwhile, women continue to report that they are not believed by healthcare practitioners, who minimise or dismiss their experiences of pain.

The LGBTQIA community had a higher likelihood of mental health and suicidal ideation.

The coexistence of chronic pain and suicidal ideation underscores the profound psychological burden faced by individuals enduring persistent pain on a daily basis.

The constant physical discomfort, limitations in daily activities, and the emotional toll of managing pain can lead to feelings of hopelessness, despair, and isolation, the survey confirmed.

Moreover, limited access to healthcare resources can exacerbate these distressing daily emotions.

The National Pain Survey 2023 has seen an increase in respondents leveraging technology to bridge the gap between healthcare providers, with 73.8% citing they like using telehealth for chronic pain appointments, up from 44% in 2022.

Cost was found to be another barrier to treatment, with chronic pain sufferers reporting skipping essential treatments, deprioritising other primary care check-ups, and forgoing necessary essentials due to the rising cost of living.

This indicates the significant strain of the cost of healthcare services on those struggling to live, let alone paying for their medical bills, the survey revealed.