Evaluating the Taxonomy of Chronic Pain Management Domains and Strategies – A Delphi Study

Abstract

Specific Aims: To evaluate chronic pain management domains and strategies in the proposed taxonomy. Subject: Experts in chronic pain management. Methods: An online survey was administered to experts in chronic pain management. Participants were sent a recruitment email with a powerpoint presentation describing the study and link to the survey questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of questions assessing the five domains of pain management strategies, general questions asking the level of agreement on the domains and overall taxonomy, and demographics of the participants. Main Results: A total of nine experts completed the questionnaire. The respondents were between the ages 30 to 69 (greatest proportion 33% age 60 to 69), the majority of which were women (67%). Occupations represented among participants were physical therapist, pharmacist, both pharmacist and clinician, physician, nurse practitioner, and occupational therapist. There was at least 87% consensus for all strategies and subdomains in domains 2 (Physical), 3 (Medical), and 4 (Psychological). Complete consensus was not achieved for Domain 1 (Medications) nor Domain 5 (Self-Initiated). Under Domain 1, 33% of participants found beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and triptans to be irrelevant medications for pain management while 44% found sedatives irrelevant. Under Domain 5, “No treatment” strategy failed to achieve consensus. Conclusions: The majority of the domains and strategies achieved at least 75% consensus. There was agreement that the domain names were appropriate and that their descriptions were understandable. Future studies should consist of additional survey rounds, incorporating comments from respondents to further refine the strategies.