The Clinical journal of pain
-
The goal of multidisciplinary treatment for chronic pain is to help patients actively self-manage pain. In this study, we examined predictors of 2 measures of readiness to self-manage pain, namely the Precontemplation and Action subscales of the Pain Stages of Change Questionnaire. In particular, we examined the relative importance of experiences with pain and the primary care physician and beliefs about self-efficacy and pain control in predicting intention to self-manage pain (Precontemplation) and actual use of pain self-management strategies (Action). ⋯ The results of the study are placed within the context of the Motivational Model of Pain Self-Management and provide insight into factors that are associated with motivation to self-manage pain. Future directions for research are discussed with respect to perceptions of pain control and satisfaction with information from physicians, constructs which have previously been overlooked in research on motivation to self-manage pain.