The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage,” Chronic pain is a major health issue for our patients, their families and us as healthcare professionals who care for them. Inadequately managed pain can lead to adverse physical and psychological patient’s outcomes for individual’s patients and families. Effective management of acute pain is key to prevent chronic pain.
According to a study (PRIME 2011) which looked at the prevalence, impact and cost of chronic pain, it is a significant health problem in Ireland with up 1 in 3 people experiencing chronic pain, at some point in their life. The cost of chronic pain per patient was ¤5,665 per year extrapolated to ¤5.34 billion or 2.86% of GDP per year. The current/ post COVID-19 pandemic also poses a challenge as an increase in demand for chronic pain services may occur with patients potentially developing post viral pain syndromes.
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