This study explored health or senior care service providers’views of barriers to optimal pain management among chronically ill older adults in rural communities in the United States. An exploratory, qualitative research design was used to capture se...
This study explored health or senior care service providers’views of barriers to optimal pain management among chronically ill older adults in rural communities in the United States. An exploratory, qualitative research design was used to capture service providers’ perceptions of barriers through individual, face-to-face interviews. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed 5barriers: lack of transportation, lack of alternative pain treatments, difficulties with assessment of pain, hesitance to pain medicine, and lack of trained professionals. Findings of this study suggest need for increased resources at federal and state level and more education on pain and its management.