Years spent in agony waiting for a diagnosis

professionals before being referred, the survey found If the wider UK experience reflects that of the survey, with multiple GP visits needed, this could represent as many as 16 5 million additional appointments – the equivalent of up to 290 years of consultation time

“Chronic pain can dominate the life of patients and drain them both physically and mentally,” said Dr Ashish Gulve, president of the Neuromodulation Society of UK and Ireland

“Our goal has to be to reverse the n More women take three or more years to get a chronic pain diagnosis (33%), compared to men (22%) Women were also more likely to stop work due to chronic pain (68%), compared to men (52%) n More British people with pain are aware of the role of a pain specialist (85%) compared to Germany (18%), Italy (24%) and Spain (53%) But despite this, still only dynamic so it is the patient who is mastering the pain, not vice versa

“There are numerous treatment options which can offer relief and a significant increase in the quality of life It is important that patients are referred to specialised pain services earlier ”

The survey, conducted by biomedical company Boston Scientific, found that a third of people (31%) with pain had secured a referral to a pain specialist at their first consultation

Those who went to a pain specialist earlier, were less likely to have to wait a number of years before receiving a chronic pain diagnosis

“Every person experiences pain differently, which is why personalised treatment and care are so critical,” said Vincent Sourdaine, from Boston Scientific “Our survey highlights unacceptable delays in people being diagnosed with chronic pain, which leads to prolonged agony ” half of UK people with pain had ever consulted a pain specialist n About half (48%) said they did not feel comfortable talking about their chronic pain in their professional life n One quarter (26%) do not feel comfortable discussing their pain with a partner, family or friends

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