The role of the psychology in pain units: about clinical assistance, research and teaching activities

Abstract

Objective: To determine the roles of psychologists in Spain who dedicate totally or partially to the study and treatment of pain, as well as their training, clinical assistance, research and teaching activities. Material and Method: An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out based on two on-line surveys: one addressed to the head of the pain unit, and the other, to the psychologists. The first one requested information on the level of the unit, the typology and the number of patients attended, as well as the number and specialties of the professionals working within it. The perception of the need for a psychologist was also requested. The second survey, which was addressed to psychologists, required information on the scope and conditions in which they performed their professional work, the type of professional activity, their training and their teaching or research activities. Results: 72 out of the 187 surveys (39%) sent to the heads of pain units responded. In addition, 27 responses from psychologists were obtained. After debugging the data, the sample finally consisted of 70 surveys of heads of pain units and 25 psychologists. According to the data, 29% of the pain units had a psychologist. Among the units defined as multidisciplinary (47%), 51% reported to have a psychologist. Among the pain units that did not have a psychologist, 94% considered this professional necessary. Psychologists who responded to the survey were on average almost 44 years old. They were mostly women (64%) and had on average 8 years tenure working in pain. With regards to their training, 56% had a specialty in clinical psychology and 28% had a doctoral degree in psychology. 32% reported no specific training in pain. 60% of the psychologists were integrated into pain units, although mostly with part-time dedication. 28% were working in the university and 20% of them collaborated with the pain units, in spite of having their professional activity in other care services. Among the psychologists integrated into pain units, slightly less than a half had non permanent jobs. The predominant model of therapeutic intervention was cognitive-behavioural. Conclusions: The percentage of psychologists integrated in multidisciplinary pain units is lower than it would be expected after considering the standards and recommendations of the Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality. This was so despite the fact that more than 90% of the responsibles of pain units who did not have a psychologist in their team, considered that professional as necessary. The number of participants has been low, but comparable to other research of this type. In addition, because of its coincidence with the results of other studies, the descriptive data obtained can be considered valid. However, further studies are needed to confirm this.