Why Refer Patients to The Chronic Pain Couple?

Research is clear that a comprehensive biopsychosocial (BPS) approach is essential for addressing the multifaceted nature of persistent pain. However, the reality is that implementing such an approach within clinical practice is not without its obstacles.

At the microlevel, time constraints faced by healthcare providers, doctors in particular, can hinder their ability to fully address the biological, psychological, and social aspects of pain during consultations. Meanwhile, mesolevel barriers such as funding limitations, as well as resource and knowledge constraints further complicate the availability of support for patients seeking comprehensive pain management. These limitations may result in suboptimal strategies that overlook the psychological and social dimensions of pain we health professionals know are important to address.

Referrals to psychologists are common, but is not without challenges. Limited funding for extended GP consultations may only allow for brief pain science education, potentially leaving patients feeling misunderstood or stigmatised. The demand for psychological services for pain management exceeds the available supply, especially in rural areas and many psychologists lack up-to-date training or confidence in providing pain education and support as indicated by research findings suggesting a gap in their knowledge and skills in this area (and from experience interviewing hundreds of psychologists for my own psychology clinics). Finally, while psychologists may focus on addressing mental health issues associated with pain, as well as trauma, and pain education, the very important, third factor in the BPS model - the social factors which is deeply entwined with psychological and biological factors is difficult to address. Why? This involves addressing practical problems such as intimacy issues or communication problems, areas with either little resources or require the other partner to be involved (who is often experiencing caregiver burnout or their own stress related to their partner’s health condition and its impact on their relationship and life).

This is where The Chronic Pain Couple program, consults, intimacy store and training can make a significant difference. By providing practical guidance and support, founded in research but infused with personal experience, The Chronic Pain Couple Self-Paced Program addresses the psycho-social factors often at play for people with pain and includes support for partners as well as a dedicated 3-part module on practical solutions for intimacy problems (an often overlooked area impacting roughly 72% of individuals with persistent pain).

By empowering patients to understand and address these factors alongside their partners (research confirms BOTH partner’s mental health wellbeing impacts relationship satisfaction and pain intensity), the program lays a foundation for improved relationship dynamics and more effecting coping skills.

Ultimately, The Chronic Pain Couple can be the referral that 1) maximises consult time for doctors to focus on biological factors, 2) introduces patients to the psycho-social factors early in their journey with persistent pain, 3) shows your patients you understand the complex nature of pain. This holistic approach not only enhances the quality of care patients receive but also empowers them to reclaim joy, intimacy, and fulfilment in their lives and relationship despite the challenges of persistent pain.