Patient experiences of rotator cuff-related shoulder pain and their views on diagnostic shoulder imaging: a qualitative study

CONCLUSION: Patients commonly believe imaging is needed to formulate a diagnosis. There was minimal concern about potential indirect harms that could arise (e.g., inappropriate diagnosis leading to unnecessary treatments). The context of the diagnostic imaging reports (i.e., what needed to be done) was perceived as more important than the exact meaning of the imaging findings. Patients felt that the diagnostic imaging confirmed their existing biomedical beliefs, and these beliefs were not challenged by their healthcare professionals.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONPatients with shoulder pain may believe imaging is necessary for diagnosis and defining treatment yet do not consider potential indirect harms (e.g., unnecessary treatment for findings that are not relevant).Health professionals should ensure patients are aware of imaging limitations and harms and facilitate shared decision-making about whether to have imaging.Health professionals also have an important role in the appropriate contextualisation of imaging findings (i.e., they do not necessarily relate to pain nor guide treatment).PMID:38153258 | DOI:10.1080/09638288.2023.2296986

Source: Disability and Rehabilitation - December 28, 2023 Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Peter Malliaras Mary O'Keeffe Jacqueline Ridgway Rhiannon Whale Vasish Vasan Patrick L'Huillier Mitch Towers Melanie K Farlie Source Type: research