Lao Medical Journal 2013;4(4):30-39

Effect of Congruence in the Estimation of the Intensity of Pain Between Lao Patients and Their Doctor on Its Control

Phonethépha Phasavath 1 ; Nengyang Wangkou 1 ; Marc Corbière 2 ; Daniel Reinharz 3

Affiliations

+expand

Keywords

McGill pain questionnaire; validation; Lao; pain estimation; congruence; physician; patient

Country

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Language

Lao

Abstract

Background and rationale:No study in Laos has focused on the affects of an accurate estimation by a doctor of his/her patient's level of pain.

Methodology:The McGill pain questionnaire was validated into Lao language. The validated version was then administrated to a cohort of 180 new patients as well as to their 88 doctors. The questionnaire was re- administrated to the patients 2 weeks later.

Results:A good estimation by a doctor of the intensity of pain felt by his patient is associated with the disappearance of a level of pain that hinders the possibility to carry out daily chores. Three factors were retained in a regression model on the congruence between doctors and patients in the estimation of the pain level: ethnicity and level of education of the patient, and physicians' number of years of practice.

Conclusion:Teaching future health care providers on how to estimate pain should be considered as a crucial component of medical training.