Navigating Health Care with Concurrent Jaw and Neck Pain: A Patient-Centered Perspective.

Area of Science:

• Multidisciplinary pain management
• Patient-centered care
• Qualitative health research

Background:

• Concurrent jaw and neck pain is prevalent but poorly understood, with limited research on psychosocial factors and patient experiences.
• Existing studies primarily focus on biological aspects, neglecting patients' perspectives on symptom development and healthcare navigation.
• Understanding patient viewpoints is crucial for improving management strategies for combined jaw and neck pain, integrating dental and medical care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient perspectives on the development of concurrent jaw and neck pain.
• To investigate how patients navigate the healthcare system when experiencing combined jaw and neck pain.
• To identify needs for improved understanding, confirmation, and healthcare navigation for patients with these symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews with 16 individuals (11 women, 5 men) experiencing concurrent jaw and neck pain.
• Participants were recruited via purposive sampling from patients referred to an orofacial pain specialist in Sweden.
• Interviews focused on patients' experiences with symptom development and healthcare interactions.

Main Results:

• A central theme emerged: "Seeking understanding, confirmation, and simplified navigation in the health care system."
• Patients desire a holistic interpretation of their pain and emotions, seeking validation and legitimacy from healthcare providers.
• There is a clear need for simplified, navigable healthcare pathways and a holistic approach to pain management.

Conclusions:

• A significant gap exists between patients' self-perceived causes of jaw and neck pain and the care received, highlighting a mismatch in understanding.
• Navigating separate dental and medical systems for multi-site pain complicates healthcare access and management.
• Establishing clear care pathways and fostering collaboration between dentistry and medical care can mitigate pain chronicity and improve patient outcomes.