A thematic exploration of chronic pain as described by patients

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-67).This study explores the experience of people suffering from chronic pain post surgical interventions. Cases are selected from those patients currently attending a pain clinic. By means of five in-depth, unstructured interviews this research seeks to understand how these patients view their pain. Recurrent themes arising emanating from these interviews are identified and then examined. These include: the breakdown in the doctor-patient relationship, and the all pervasive nature and effect of pain on the lives of those suffering from chronic pain. This research recommends that doctors should begin to examine the part they may play in the aeitiology of chronic pain. A practical aspect of this might be the rotation of student doctors through chronic pain clinics