GPs sceptical of pain apps for older patients

Chief among their concerns was patients' ability to use the software
Clare Pain

Australian GPs, doctors and allied health professionals have reservations about the suitability of pain management apps for older patients with arthritic pain, a small study shows.

Seventeen clinicians involved in treating arthritic pain in the over-65s were interviewed about the potential for patients to use smartphone apps to help manage their pain.

Interviewees included four GPs, an emergency doctor, a specialist pain physician, eight physiotherapists, two clinical psychologists and an osteopath.

Their common view was that the idea of using pain-management apps in older patients was idealistic and would be challenging to put into practice.