Integration of Specialized Pain Control Services in Palliative Care: A Nationwide Web-based Survey

INTRODUCTION: Pain control is an important part of palliative care (PC), and conventional analgesics do not provide adequate pain relief to all patients. Many patients present with complex pain syndromes that require interventional pain control measures usually deployed by pain specialists. There is adequate integration of specialized pain control services with PC elsewhere, but information about the same in our country is lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An internet survey was conducted among palliative specialists regarding the need and availability of pain specialists for their patients suffering from complex pain syndromes. Their attitude toward integrating specialized pain control services in their practice was also explored. RESULTS: Majority of palliative physicians came across situations where specialists in pain would control the patients’ pain better. There was a poor availability of such services, and when available, the cost was significant. It is heartening to note that though there is poor integration of specialized pain control services with palliation, palliative physicians acknowledge the need for pain specialists and their techniques for providing pain relief for their patients. CONCLUSIONS: Effective pain control is needed in palliation, barriers however exist, and there is a need to make pain specialists and interventional techniques more freely available.