Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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In older adults, the impact of persistent pain goes beyond simple discomfort, often contributing to worsening functional outcomes and ultimately frailty. Frailty is a geriatric syndrome that, like persistent pain, increases in prevalence with age and is characterized by a decreased ability to adapt to common stressors such as acute illness, thereby increasing risk for multiple adverse health outcomes. Evidence supports a relationship between persistent pain and both the incidence and progression of frailty, independent of health, social, and lifestyle confounders. ⋯ Incorporating persistent pain into the frailty construct can help us better understand frailty and ultimately improve care for patients with, as well as those at increased risk for, pain and frailty.
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Fibromyalgia patients face particular challenges in building relationships with health care providers. In this study, we examine, from patients' perspectives, factors that influence the formation of effective patient-provider relationships. ⋯ Understanding of the key elements of relationship development between patients and providers can be utilized in various ways to improve clinical care. First, the knowledge gained in this study can inform the design of patient education materials that assist patients to identify providers that fit their needs, prepare for consultations, and develop realistic expectations for providers. The findings of this study can also inform the design of resources and tools to enable clinicians to communicate and relate better with their patients.