SIT and the co-disciplinary pain clinic
Clinicians in California described their clinical practice, which uses the simultaneous interview technique (SIT).
First the details.
- Goals
- Evaluate and treat cases of complex, refractory chronic pain
- Guide patients toward a shift in mind-set, from cure to self-care and preservation or improvement of functionality, despite pain
- Process
- 3 healthcare providers were present to meet with the patient — SIT.
- Anesthesiologist, board certified in pain medicine
- Behavioral medicine psychologist
- Physical therapist
- After the interview and examination, a treatment plan was generated.
- Treatment options included physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, procedural interventions (including nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency lesioning, etc), medication adjustment, behavioral medicine follow-up, and referral to other specialized mental healthcare treatments (eg, posttraumatic stress disorder treatment).
- 3 healthcare providers were present to meet with the patient — SIT.
And, the results.
- Many patients had feelings of not being understood in consultations and high levels of anger toward providers in pain clinics.
- Patients were generally satisfied with the quality of care they received.
- Excellent or Very Good regarding with the visit (84%)
- Quality of care received (90%)
- Perceived competency of the treatment team (90%)
- Accuracy of the diagnosis given (90%)
- Explanation provided about the treatment plan (94%)
- Understanding the treatment plan provided (92%)
- Effectiveness of the treatment plan (50%)
- Similarly, patients endorsed the responses Extremely or Quite a Bit in regard to…
- Following through with the treatment plan (96%)
- Perception that the team took their pain seriously (94%)
- Listened to them (98%)
- Courteous (100%)
The bottom line?
The authors believe, “by providing a different—better—experience at the first visit, providers can encourage patients to restructure their treatment goals and adopt more realistic expectations.”
The authors tell us, “It is believed that there is a fundamental difference between sequential and simultaneous interviews.” And, their practice is unique in that it’s not only multi- but also co-disciplinary, using SIT.
8/12/12 22:33 JR