A survey of pain prevalence at Albert-Chenevier Hospital.: Comparison of patient, caregiver and physician assessments

The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of pain in hospitalized patients and to compare pain assessments performed by patients, caregivers and physicians. This cross-sectional study was based on evaluating pain with three questionnaires. Two structured questionnaires explored the patient's and physician's points of view about hospital pain management. Caregivers used the validated Doloplus-2 scale. The three assessments were considered consistent when all three indicated the presence or absence of pain. All inpatients (447) were included. The prevalence of pain was 57% when assessment was performed by caregivers and 53% when it was performed by physicians. Among patients included in the prevalence study, 366 could express themselves and agreed to answer the self-assessment questionnaire (82%): 66% of these patients reported pain. Patients and physicians often reported leg pain. Assessment of pain produced a higher level of pain intensity when performed by patients than when by physicians. Furthermore, 88% of patients reporting pain received pain relief treatment: nevertheless patients felt that their pain was satisfactorily managed in only half of their locations, and they had a less positive appreciation of their level of pain management than physicians did. Our study showed that many psychiatric patients declared they suffered pain. Full consistency between the three assessments was noted for half the cases. One out of ten patients experiencing pain was not identified.