Anesth Pain Med. Chronic pain is associated with psychosomatic comorbidities 1 - 4. Patients with chronic pain typically experience associated problems such as insomnia, drug dependence, anxiety, distress, confusion, and other psychological disorders 3 - 7.
Clinicians often find it challenging to discuss the reduction of opioids or sedatives with these patients, as many drug-dependent patients respond negatively to such necessary treatment adjustments 4 - 6.
Many chronic pain patients are dissatisfied with their analgesic or anxiolytic dosages, and some harass or threaten healthcare providers 4 , 6. These patients frequently demand higher doses of opioids, zopiclone, benzodiazepines, and other mood-altering medications.
Occasionally, some of these patients engage in significant harassment, threats, or violence toward clinical staff 6 , 8. Most pain care providers fail to report or address the harassment caused by patients and their families 6 , 9. Additionally, many healthcare staff lack the empowerment to manage or mitigate harassment from patients and their families 10 - Various factors may contribute to patients' negative behavior towards pain care providers.
Hostility from patients towards pain clinicians may stem from psychological, physical, pathological, and social issues. Such negative behaviors can also arise from patients' anxiety, pain, insomnia, drug addiction, and drug withdrawal syndrome. Harassment of healthcare staff by chronic pain patients may be linked to feelings of hopelessness, powerlessness, helplessness, restlessness, and loneliness.
