891 - How Do Laypeople Decide Who To See For Their Pain Complaints?

Objectives:
Approximately 20% of US adults report chronic pain and, in 2003, an estimated 22% of primary care visits were for pain. Exploring how non-medical professionals select when and who to see for pain may enable practitioners to better meet patient expectations, identify targets for public outreach, and opportunities for cost-reduction.

Design:
Descriptive electronic survey conducted through RedCap. Subjects were recruited through Facebook and Instagram flyers posted by author.

Results: When asked the “single most important thing when deciding which professional to see first”, 33.7% (N=74) selected insurance coverage, 25.6% time to be seen, 16.1% treatment supported by research, and 13.5% cost. When asked “what role does insurance coverage play in your decision”, 18.9% were only willing to see professionals fully covered by insurance, 54.1% willing to pay copay/coinsurance, 37% willing to pay fully cash. 54.8% felt comfortable seeing a PT without first seeing a MD/DO. 31.5% were comfortable seeing a Chiropractor first, 35.6% massage therapist. 32.9% had previously seen a chiropractor first, 24.7% massage therapist, 28.8% PT. 55.4% seek care within two weeks of symptoms, 13.5% wait a month, 17.6% 1-2 months, 5.4% 3-4 months, 5.4% 6+ months.

Conclusions: Non-medical professionals have heterogenous priorities and physicians may benefit from adapting communication and marketing accordingly. Need for public education may exist as over half of respondents seek care well in advance of the natural recovery timeframe for most pain conditions. Physicians should reassess their role and messaging as over half of respondents felt comfortable bypassing physicians to see another professional first.