Portuguese Family Physicians' Perceptions on Pain Management-A Qualitative Study Protocol

Pain is an important cause of disability and constitutes the main reason people seek medical care, especially in general practice. Nevertheless, nearly half of adult Europeans with chronic pain receive inadequate pain treatment. Limited knowledge about pain among physicians is recognized as a key barrier to treatment. This is due to the well-known insufficiency in pain education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. There is a scarcity of research exploring the perceptions of family medicine physicians on these issues. This study aims to evaluate the perceptions of these professionals concerning medical education, as well as their knowledge, skills, and preparedness to manage chronic pain and collect suggestions for improvement. A qualitative exploratory study will be performed using synchronous virtual focus groups and purposive sampling. Eligible participants will be 3rd- and 4th-year family medicine residents and family medicine specialists with at least five years of practice. Sample size and number of focus groups will depend on data saturation. A semi-structured guide will be used. A thematic categorical analysis will be conducted after verbatim transcription of the audiofiles. This protocol has been approved by the Health Ethics Committee.