Study Name: How the Perceptions of Chronic Pain Influences Healthcare Providers’ Likelihood of Referring a Patient to Occupational Therapy Services?

Institution Name(s): Tennessee Wesleyan University

Authors: Brooklyn Balsan, Taylor Casanta, Marie Hankins, Zoe Hudson, Ashley Linn, Madison Warren

Expiration Date of the Study: September 1, 2025

Description of the Study: 

Research question: How does the perception of chronic pain influence healthcare provider's likelihood of referring a patient/client to occupational therapy services?

Issue: How does the perception of chronic pain influence healthcare provider's likelihood of referring a patient/client to occupational therapy services?

According to the CDC, as of 2021, 51.6 million U.S. adults experience chronic pain. (Rikard et al., 2023, p. 1). However, there is a strong prevalence of chronic pain patients who are using opioid medication as their means of treatment. “In 2019, 22.1% of U.S. adults with chronic pain used a prescription opioid in the past 3 months” (Dahlhamer et al., 2021, p. 3). These statistics represent a very large population of people who are struggling with chronic pain and their needs must be taken seriously. It also demonstrates a need for more research on alternative and effective methods for treatment. The research team has noted a lack of research on the correlation of physician's medical decisions when treating chronic pain and the frequency of referral to occupational therapy services. Because of this, information is lacking as to the benefit of occupational therapy services over medical options for pain management. Such information would spread awareness of the benefits of pain management within occupational therapy services in hopes that more physicians will recognize the benefit of referrals. In order to address this issue, the research team aims to examine the root cause and the perception surrounding chronic pain patients and how it affects physicians' treatment decisions.

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