Perspectives on chronic musculoskeletal pain management among healthcare professionals in Bhutan: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal pain disorders continue to be one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Best practice care recommends patient-centred biopsychosocial models of care. Little is known about the chronic musculoskeletal pain management in low- and middle-income countries.

Objectives: To explore the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain by healthcare professionals in Bhutan.

Methods: This study employed a qualitative design involving 19 Bhutanese healthcare professionals managing chronic musculoskeletal pain in Bhutan. We collected data using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis was done manually.

Results: Healthcare professionals reported that patients rely on a combination of home remedies and seek help from local healers and hospitals for chronic musculoskeletal pain management. While healthcare professionals understand chronic musculoskeletal pain as multi-dimensional phenomenon, the primary focus was on identifying and treating structural anomalies. Time constraints, inadequate knowledge and skills, lack of confidence, facilities and expertise were reported as barriers to the effective management of chronic musculoskeletal pain. They proposed a need for clinical guidelines, relevant skills training and creating awareness of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Conclusion: The management of chronic musculoskeletal pain in Bhutan is focused on identifying and treating physical abnormalities. Healthcare professionals consider psychosocial dimensions important but lack any form of actionable interventions in this domain.