624995

editorial2015

BJP0010.1177/2049463715624995British Journal of PainEditorial

Editorial
British Journal of Pain
2016, Vol. 10(1)7
The British Pain Society 2016
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DOI: 10.1177/2049463715624995
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2016 brings news of indexing and Editorial Board

expansion. What I am keen to undertake in this new
year is to offer pain professionals the opportunity to
contribute as reviewers. Please make contact with me
directly. I am especially keen to hear from psychologists and pharmacists with an hour or two to spare. Do
not forget that the British Journal of Pain (BJP) is your
journal, so there is no excuse not to submit your manuscripts to your journal.
This issue contains diverse content. Andrew Ung
and colleagues from Sydney, Australia, have undertaken a review of the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes to chronic pain management of medical and
nursing students. The main instrument identified was
the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain
(KASRP) used by 9 of the 26 publications included in
their review. The results will be of little surprise as
knowledge was poor among both groups.
Oxfords Karen Barker, Leila Heelas and Francine
Toye (Commissioning Editor of the BJP themed qualitative issue) report the impact of introducing an acceptance and commitment therapy to a physiotherapy-led
pain rehabilitation programme using action research.
Four main themes were identified: the need to see pain
as an embodied (not dualistic) experience, a more
therapeutic construction of acceptance, value-based

goals as motivation for change and that this change in

practice is far removed from traditional physiotherapy.
Patient pain experience of head and neck cancer
patients undergoing radiotherapy is described by
Natalie Pattison and colleagues from the Royal
Marsden, a specialist cancer institution. This treatment
is well known for not only causing pain but also its
significant impact on nutrition and quality of life.
Although four themes emerged, pain screening at each
outpatient encounter with specialist review, as needed,
can enhance integrated care.
Pain management programmes vary in content
and mode of delivery across the United Kingdom.
The short (1month) and medium (9months) term
impact of the residential pain management programme delivered by the Guys and St Thomas team
at INPUT has been evaluated and compared to historical data from the same service. These new data
suggest that the programme delivery has improved as
gains on pain, and psychological measures were seen
especially at 1-month post discharge (but less marked
at follow-up).
Thanks to all the reviewers and contributors to this
issue.
Felicia Cox
Editor

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