Contributing factors for a satisfying orofacial pain patient journey: a mixed-methods study

Background: Due to the many different underlying disorders causing orofacial pain, management of orofacial pain is a challenge. Many patients seek help from different healthcare providers during their patient journey. The primary aim of this study was to describe the physical and emotional patient journey of patients with orofacial pain. The secondary aim was to determine which personal factors may have contributed to number of healthcare providers visited and patient journey satisfaction. Methods: For this, a concurrent triangulation mixed methods design was used. Patients 18 years or older with orofacial pain who visited the Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction (OPD) clinic of the Academic Centre of Dentistry Amsterdam were recruited. Participants filled out questionnaires regarding their patient journey, locus of control, readiness to change, catastrophizing, illness perception, and kinesiophobia. A linear regression analysis was performed to determine which factors were associated with the number of healthcare providers visited and the patient journey satisfaction. A subsample of participants was invited to an additional in-depth interview about their patient journey experiences. Results: A total of 102 participants visited an average of 2.7 healthcare providers before their visit to the OPD clinic. There was an association between patient satisfaction and readiness to change as well as internal locus of control, and between the number of healthcare providers visited and readiness to change, as well as illness perception and chance-related locus of control. Themes related to a satisfactory patient journey included clear communication, feeling taken seriously, and thinking along with the patient. Non-helpful factors were long wait times, financial factors, perceived lack of knowledge of the healthcare providers, and feeling helpless. Conclusions: The journey of patients with orofacial pain is complex, and the patient satisfaction could be improved by improving the efficiency and clear communication to patients.

Orofacial pain; Patient journey; Healthcare; Dentistry; Temporomandibular disorders; Multidisciplinary treatment

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