The research in this article is based on qualitative methods, including focus group interviews with hospital doctors and general practitioners, involving a total of 18 physicians. The project's theme is long-term pain management for patients after surgical trauma. This article explores how doctors with different roles in the follow-up of patients with chronic pain experience challenges in treatment, particularly related to opioid pain management. Areas identified as challenging included ambiguities in the transfer of roles and responsibilities for pain patients between hospital doctors and general practitioners. Additionally, knowledge gaps were identified among both hospital doctors and general practitioners regarding adequate long-term pain management for trauma patients.
It is recommended that there be enhanced training for both hospital doctors and general practitioners in updated and appropriate pain management principles for chronic pain. Furthermore, it is suggested that follow-up and consultation should be made available to general practitioners from the specialist health services that were responsible for the treatment of the pain patient prior to discharge.