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.