Abstracts 2008 - 07

Dr Mario Vergara-Williamson
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Medway Maritime Hospital,
Gillingham Kent

Mario is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who has a special interest in the field of physical health. He provides the psychological input to the Interdisciplinary Pain Management Programme based at the Medway Maritime Hospital which has been running for ten years.  He also heads the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Service for the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust. 

ABSTRACT
Pain – Health - Belief
Most people who experience acute low back pain will improve quickly, however, a small proportion may be at risk of developing chronic pain and disability.
By the sub-acute stage, psychosocial variables are known to be stronger predictors for the development of chronic pain and associated disability than biomedical factors.  One of the main psychosocial variables that are associated with chronic pain and disability are those related to the beliefs patients have about their pain.  When patients believe pain is indicative of ongoing tissue damage they may be less likely to engage in treatments that may be painful, such as beginning to mobilise.
The information and advice patients receive from the Health Care system can have a significant impact on patients' beliefs and their subsequent coping strategies.  This presentation will look at examples of health fears patients may hold and how clinicians can contribute to improvements in a patient's future functioning.