Reaching experts for enhanced referral (REFER) to pain psychology: a modified Delphi approach with multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers at a specialised center in the USA

Background To minimise the referral gap to pain psychology, the purpose of this study was to describe clinician-perceived patient suitability for pain psychology referral, develop a referral plan and outline essential elements of a referral conversation via a modified Delphi approach with multidisci...

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Main Authors: Laura E Simons, Lauren E Harrison, Nicole Jehl, Lea Schemer, Courtney W Hess, Alexandra J Neville, Ryan S L Ma, Julia A Glombiewski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-12-01
Series:BMJ Paediatrics Open
Online Access:https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/8/1/e003020.full
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author Laura E Simons
Lauren E Harrison
Nicole Jehl
Lea Schemer
Courtney W Hess
Alexandra J Neville
Ryan S L Ma
Julia A Glombiewski
author_facet Laura E Simons
Lauren E Harrison
Nicole Jehl
Lea Schemer
Courtney W Hess
Alexandra J Neville
Ryan S L Ma
Julia A Glombiewski
author_sort Laura E Simons
collection DOAJ
description Background To minimise the referral gap to pain psychology, the purpose of this study was to describe clinician-perceived patient suitability for pain psychology referral, develop a referral plan and outline essential elements of a referral conversation via a modified Delphi approach with multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers.Methods We employed a three-round modified Delphi approach consulting multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers (n=18) including physicians, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and nurse practitioners (PT, OT, NP). Based on the responses to an online survey (Round 1), initial statements regarding the pain psychology referral process were developed. These statements were revised in three separate panels (MD panel, PSY panel, PT, OT, NP panel; Round 2). A priori consensus criteria were verified for each statement within and between groups using anonymous responses to a concluding online survey (Round 3).Results Approximately one-third of the statements (35%) reached consensus across all panels. For example, paediatric pain providers agreed that referrals should be communicated verbally, along with written materials, and that pain should be explained early from a biopsychosocial perspective. Paediatric pain providers also suggested minimising barriers through a flexible, stepped-care approach that adapts the delivery of pain psychology beyond traditional models. However, most statements reached consensus in only one or two panels (52%), indicating a lack of consensus across disciplines. The data suggest that it was comparatively easier to reach an overall consensus on statements formulating an ideal referral process to pain psychology (50%) than on statements characterising patient suitability (13%).Conclusions Paediatric pain providers developed an actionable plan for pain psychology referrals. This plan could bridge referral gaps and improve access to pain psychology treatment. Given the low provider consensus on patient suitability, further research is warranted to understand pain psychology referral decision-making, including differing perceptions of patient suitability across disciplines.
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spelling doaj-art-bdb4916896534bfeaf8cda4f9e69cb342025-08-20T02:35:32ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Paediatrics Open2399-97722024-12-018110.1136/bmjpo-2024-003020Reaching experts for enhanced referral (REFER) to pain psychology: a modified Delphi approach with multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers at a specialised center in the USALaura E Simons0Lauren E Harrison1Nicole Jehl2Lea Schemer3Courtney W Hess4Alexandra J Neville5Ryan S L Ma6Julia A Glombiewski7Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USADepartment of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USADepartment of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA1 Department for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität (RPTU) Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany2 Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA2 Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA2 Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA1 Department for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität (RPTU) Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, GermanyBackground To minimise the referral gap to pain psychology, the purpose of this study was to describe clinician-perceived patient suitability for pain psychology referral, develop a referral plan and outline essential elements of a referral conversation via a modified Delphi approach with multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers.Methods We employed a three-round modified Delphi approach consulting multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers (n=18) including physicians, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and nurse practitioners (PT, OT, NP). Based on the responses to an online survey (Round 1), initial statements regarding the pain psychology referral process were developed. These statements were revised in three separate panels (MD panel, PSY panel, PT, OT, NP panel; Round 2). A priori consensus criteria were verified for each statement within and between groups using anonymous responses to a concluding online survey (Round 3).Results Approximately one-third of the statements (35%) reached consensus across all panels. For example, paediatric pain providers agreed that referrals should be communicated verbally, along with written materials, and that pain should be explained early from a biopsychosocial perspective. Paediatric pain providers also suggested minimising barriers through a flexible, stepped-care approach that adapts the delivery of pain psychology beyond traditional models. However, most statements reached consensus in only one or two panels (52%), indicating a lack of consensus across disciplines. The data suggest that it was comparatively easier to reach an overall consensus on statements formulating an ideal referral process to pain psychology (50%) than on statements characterising patient suitability (13%).Conclusions Paediatric pain providers developed an actionable plan for pain psychology referrals. This plan could bridge referral gaps and improve access to pain psychology treatment. Given the low provider consensus on patient suitability, further research is warranted to understand pain psychology referral decision-making, including differing perceptions of patient suitability across disciplines.https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/8/1/e003020.full
spellingShingle Laura E Simons
Lauren E Harrison
Nicole Jehl
Lea Schemer
Courtney W Hess
Alexandra J Neville
Ryan S L Ma
Julia A Glombiewski
Reaching experts for enhanced referral (REFER) to pain psychology: a modified Delphi approach with multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers at a specialised center in the USA
BMJ Paediatrics Open
title Reaching experts for enhanced referral (REFER) to pain psychology: a modified Delphi approach with multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers at a specialised center in the USA
title_full Reaching experts for enhanced referral (REFER) to pain psychology: a modified Delphi approach with multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers at a specialised center in the USA
title_fullStr Reaching experts for enhanced referral (REFER) to pain psychology: a modified Delphi approach with multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers at a specialised center in the USA
title_full_unstemmed Reaching experts for enhanced referral (REFER) to pain psychology: a modified Delphi approach with multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers at a specialised center in the USA
title_short Reaching experts for enhanced referral (REFER) to pain psychology: a modified Delphi approach with multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers at a specialised center in the USA
title_sort reaching experts for enhanced referral refer to pain psychology a modified delphi approach with multidisciplinary paediatric pain providers at a specialised center in the usa
url https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/8/1/e003020.full
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