Brazilian Journal of Pain
https://brjp.org.br/article/doi/10.63231/2595-0118.e202687-en
Brazilian Journal of Pain
Original Article

Attitudes of healthcare professionals regarding the care of people with chronic pain: an analysis through focus groups

Atitudes de profissionais da área da saúde sobre o cuidado da pessoa com dor crônica: análise por grupos focais

Carolina Silva de Avila; Carolina dos Reis Maier; Fernanda Romaguera Pereira dos Santos; Gabriella de Almeida Raschke Medeiros; Micheline Henrique Araujo da Luz Koerich

http://dx.doi.org/10.63231/2595-0118.e202687-en BrJP, vol.9, e202687, 2026
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic pain (CP) is a significant challenge in primary health care and requires approaches integrating relational, clinical, and contextual dimensions of care. Hence, this study aimed to analyze the attitudes of primary health care residents regarding the care of individuals with, describe their reported practices, and identify opportunities for improvement.

METHODS: This qualitative, cross‑sectional observational study was conducted through a single 100-minute focus group session comprising ten residents from different professional backgrounds working in a family health strategy primary care unit located in a socially vulnerable area. Data were collected using a semi‑structured guide with four guiding questions. All statements were fully transcribed and analyzed utilizing inductive content analysis, supported by NVivo software, with verification conducted by multiple researchers.

RESULTS: Six categories emerged from the analysis: reception; active listening and humanized care; therapeutic alliance; treatment adherence; expectation management; understanding individual specificities; and promoting self‑efficacy. Relational aspects were predominant, particularly practices centered on welcoming, bonding, and communication. Elements such as pain education, structured self‑efficacy strategies, and active interventions were less frequently described by the residents.

CONCLUSION: The reported attitudes align with person-centered care principles in primary health care, being largely supported by relational foundations. However, the limited adoption of structured strategies (e.g., pain education, active interventions, and systematic promotion of self-efficacy)suggests a gap between the residents’ endorsement of a biopsychosocial orientation and its operationalization in clinical practice. These findings indicate that strengthening CP care in primary care settings requires maintaining relational competencies and the intentional integration of educational and self-management approaches, particularly within practice-based training contexts.

Keywords

Chronic pain; Health education; Primary health care; Public health

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor crônica (DC) representa um desafio relevante na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), demandando abordagens que integrem dimensões relacionais, clínicas e contextuais. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as atitudes de residentes da APS no cuidado à pessoa com DC, descrevendo práticas relatadas e identificando oportunidades de aprimoramento.

MÉTODOS: Estudo qualitativo, observacional e transversal, realizado por meio de um grupo focal único, com duração aproximada de 100 minutos, envolvendo dez residentes de diferentes formações atuantes em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde organizada pela Estratégia Saúde da Família, em território de vulnerabilidade social. A coleta seguiu roteiro semiestruturado com quatro questões norteadoras. As falas foram transcritas integralmente e analisadas por Análise de Conteúdo, com abordagem indutiva, utilizando o NVivo e verificação por múltiplos pesquisadores.

RESULTADOS: Emergiram seis categorias: acolhimento, escuta ativa e humanização do cuidado; vínculo terapêutico; adesão ao tratamento; modulação de expectativas; compreensão das especificidades individuais; e promoção da autoeficácia. Observou‑se predominância de conteúdos relacionados aos aspectos relacionais do cuidado, especialmente acolhimento, vínculo e comunicação. Práticas como educação em dor, intervenções ativas e estratégias sistemáticas de fortalecimento da autoeficácia foram menos mencionadas pelos residentes.

CONCLUSÃO: As atitudes relatadas demonstram aderência aos princípios do cuidado centrado na pessoa na APS, sustentadas predominantemente por uma base relacional. No entanto, a baixa incorporação de estratégias estruturadas, como educação em dor, intervenções ativas e promoção sistemática da autoeficácia, sugere uma lacuna entre a orientação biopsicossocial assumida e sua operacionalização na prática clínica. Esses achados indicam que o fortalecimento do cuidado à DC na APS não depende apenas da manutenção de competências relacionais, mas da integração intencional de abordagens educativas e de automanejo, especialmente no contexto da formação em serviço.

Palavras-chave

Atençao primária à saúde; Dor crônica; Educação em saúde; Saúde pública

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Submitted date:
08/12/2025

Accepted date:
08/03/2026

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