Recently, there has been a significant and healthy shift to establish the effectiveness of clinical practice, widely referred to as evidence-based medicine. This book fills a major gap in the practice literature for healthcare professionals engaged in providing psychosocial care for their patients suffering from chronic pain or illness. Oxford University, a leader in evidence-based medicine, now has a master's program in evidence-based social work, the only one of its kind. Much of the practice of medicine is evidence based; however, much of the psychosocial care provided to patients is not. This is not due to the absence of such evidence; rather, practice has traditionally relied on clinical evidence, common sense, and practitioner wisdom. However, given the demand for results from governments, from insurance companies, and, most importantly, from patients, psychosocial care must move in the direction of evidence-based practice, for which a great deal of research is available.

This book will (1) provide empirically derived support and understanding of psychosocial problems encountered by patients and (2) explore the efficacy of the interventions available for patient care. Chapter 1 will take a historical view of the development of evidence-based practice in medicine and psychology. Chapter 2 will examine the concept of empirically supported evidence, ie, the extent to which the impact of psychosocial problems on health has been measured. The remaining eight chapters will explore a range of psychosocial issues through case illustration and examine both the problems and their management from an evidence-based approach. This book is a departure from reports on evidence-based practice to the extent that the empirical bases of the problems reported, and not just their treatment, are subjected to scrutiny.

The first book to systematically explore the evidence-based effectiveness of interventions offered to chronic pain sufferers. Oxford University, a leader in evidence-based medicine, now has a master's program in evidence-based social work, the only one of its kind.

Autorentext

Ranjan Roy is Professor of Social Work and Clinical Health Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba. He is also a Consultant (Scientific) in the Department of Anesthesia, St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Science and Humanities, and is renowned as a researcher and lecturer on the biopsychosocial aspects of chronic pain.

Klappentext
Psychosocial Interventions for Chronic Pain In Search of Evidence Ranjan Roy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg Although much of medical practice is research driven, the same cannot be said about the psychosocial interventions for chronic pain and illness. Psychological therapy for pain is dominated by cognitive-behavior therapy, which is demonstrably effective in a significant proportion of chronic pain sufferers. There is a clear need to broaden the base of psychosocial therapies for treating this hugely suffering population. Psychosocial Interventions for Chronic Pain goes a long way to correct the situation by examining the empirical bases of patient problems as well as offering evidence-supported approaches to their management. Ranjan Roy's introductory chapters explain how effectiveness is measured in psychosocial practice, and these concepts are clearly applied in compelling case examples, including: Family and couple therapy for longstanding pain issues. Psychodynamic psychotherapy in a case of abuse and chronic pain. Interpersonal psychotherapy for identity issues following a hysterectomy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for "immobilizing" pain. Grief therapy following catastrophic loss. Multidisciplinary approaches to complex chronic pain. Psychosocial Interventions for Chronic Pain brings a useful framework of ideas to all health and mental health professionals working with chronic pain patients, including psychologists, social workers, physicians, and nurses. The book's evidence-based orientation also makes it a valid text for specialized graduate courses on pain management.

Inhalt
Evidence-Based Approach and Psychosocial Practice.- Psychosocial Problems and the Chronic Pain Sufferer.- Family Therapy and Couple Therapy.- Abuse, Chronic Pain and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.- Interpersonal Psychotherapy.- Grief Therapy.- Brief Therapies.- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.- Group Therapy.- Multidisciplinary Approach and Chronic Pain.- Epilogue.