An independent assessment of a supraregional pain management programme andcomparison of patients' and general practitioners' perceptions of the effects

This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic response, as perceived by patients and their general practitioners, to a supraregional residential pain management programme (INPUT). Twenty patients who completed the INPUT programme and their general practitioners, were sent locally designed ques tionnaires. Eighteen patients and 16 general practitioners responded. Patie nts were assessed for the effects of the programme on a wide variety of tre atment targets reflecting quality of life. General practitioners were quest ioned about changes in dependence upon healthcare services. The mean time f rom attending INPUT to assessment was 11.4 (5.7) months. Thirteen patients indicated a moderate or maximal improvement in quality of life. General pra ctitioners reported a reduced use of healthcare services and improvement in quality of life. The majority of our patients attending INPUT gained benef its that improved their quality of life. Healthcare services appeared to be nefit from the patients' greater independence in managing their symptoms.