The 2024 National Pain Survey of nearly 2600 people living with chronic pain has found that the experience of Australians living with chronic pain in rural and remote communities is significantly different from the experience of those living in metropolitan areas.
People living with chronic pain often say that the pain “colours their world” – with 3.6 million people
living with chronic pain, this invisible condition is colouring the world of many families.
Half of rural and remote respondents said they have had to stop work entirely as a result of their chronic pain, as opposed to 4 in 10 metro respondents. The strain of chronic pain on relationships is greater among these respondents, with 1 in 5 feeling stigmatised by their spouses or life partners.
These respondents were also more likely to have attempted to take their own life, with 1 in 10 having acted on their suicide ideation. Despite higher rates of suicidality, rural and remote respondents were less likely to have a mental health management plan than their metro counterparts, with only 31% having one, in comparison with 38% of metro respondents.
Respondents in areas like the New England were more likely to self-medicate with non-prescription substances than metro respondents, with alcohol, cigarettes and non-medicinal cannabis the most used alternatives.
Chairperson of Chronic Pain Australia, Nicolette Ellis, said that the National Pain Survey results highlighted people living with chronic pain in rural and remote communities have unique challenges which must be taken into account.
“Chronic pain significantly disrupts people’s ability to live a productive and happy life,” Ms Ellis said.
“It is clear from this survey that people in rural and remote communities are feeling greater levels of despair as a result of their condition, with services more difficult to reach and community stigma higher than in the city.”
“We know the solution, and it is imperative that the government finds ways to deliver pain management services to these communities.
“Multidisciplinary pain management is the most effective approach to managing this complex condition and should be readily accessible in local primary care settings,” Ms Ellis said.
72% of survey respondents who have received multidisciplinary care said they would recommend it to others.
“Without access to patient-centred, multi-disciplinary care, people living with chronic pain are at risk of a lifetime of disability that impacts their families and the wider community.
“Chronic pain is a vicious cycle for the 3.6 million Australians living with chronic pain, and a huge drain on society more generally,” Ms Ellis said.
July 22 to 28 is National Pain Week. Find more information and webinars on managing chronic pain on Chronic Pain Australia’s website https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/painchanger/
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