GPs' perceptions of the service needs of South Asian people with chronic pain: A qualitative enquiry

This qualitative study describes GPs’
experiences of and needs for
management of people from a South
Asian community who have chronic
pain. Semi-structured interviews were
conducted with 18 GPs from practices
in two PCTs in Leicester. The data
was analysed using grounded theory.
The results indicate that managing
patients from a South Asian
community with chronic pain can be
challenging due to differing pain
expression and presentation. Emerging
themes refer to shortages of services
for these patients including the need
for CBT, counselling, community
support and GP education and
training. Potential implications of the
results for service provision are
discussed.