GPs score an eight out of 10 for how well they manage their chronic pain patients, but patients want their doctors to know it’s “not in their head”, a survey shows. 

Almost one in five chronic pain patients see their GP fortnightly, and about one-third have asked about accessing medical cannabis, according to the National Pain Survey 2019, released on Monday for National Pain Week. 

Commissioned by Chronic Pain Australia, the poll of more than 1250 Australians living with chronic pain asked what they wanted from health professionals — including GPs and pharmacists — the public and the government. 

“Overall, people living with pain said their GPs and their pharmacists manage their pain well,” said Jarrod McMaugh, Chronic Pain Australia’s national president.