P08S05:
Chronic peripheral neuropathic pain
Bottom
line: Information on chronic peripheral neuropathic pain was used to justify
the management of a patient, and persuade other health professionals to make a
change (change medication). It contributed to increase patient knowledge about
treatment options.
Level 1 outcome (situational relevance): On July 11,
2008, P08 did a search at work, by themselves, and after an encounter with a
patient. They retrieved one information hit about trigeminal neuralgia. The
reported search objectives were: to address a clinical question, to share
information with a patient, and to exchange information with other health
professionals. “I have a patient [a
female in her early sixties] with meralgia paresthetica, a condition of
neuropathic pain. I was looking to see what the various options were for
treatment. [...] [I wanted] to discuss the various options with [the patient]
[...] [and] with my collaborating physician.” According to P08,
e-Therapeutics+ was the only source for information, and the found information
was relevant.
Level 2 outcome (cognitive impact): One hit was associated with a report of positive cognitive
impact (see table). Regarding practice improvement, P08 stated: “I am [now] more informed
about the different options. [...] [My practice is changed and improved],
having more tools in my toolkit to offer patients.”
Retrieved
information hit(s):
1) e-Therapeutics+ (CIRT):
Therapeutics tab – trigeminal neuralgia and chronic peripheral neuropathic pain
- Neurologic disorders - Highlight (P08S05H01)
Level 3 outcome
(information use): Information on trigeminal neuralgia was
retrieved, and used to better understand a specific issue
with respect to the management of the patient, to justify the
management of a patient, and to persuade other health professionals to make a
change (information used as presented in e-Therapeutics+). “[The patient] was just using an NSAID which wasn’t very effective. […]
[The information justified my management in terms] of case discussions with the
collaborating physician. [...] Basically, it was just looking at the use of
gabapentin in the case of having meralgia paresthetica, and to show that it was
not only a recommended treatment but also was very effective. So [I used the
information] to encourage them [the nurse and the physician] to make change in
their practice as well. [-And do you know if they did?] I believe so.”
Level 4 outcome (patient health): Regarding
patient health, P08 reported that the information contributed to increase
patient knowledge. “[Increase of patient
knowledge?] That is related to client-centered care, you know; Teaching the
patient about neuropathic pain and the various options available. [Did you
follow up with these patients?] Yes.”
Levels of outcome of information-seeking
|
Situational relevance |
Positive cognitive
impact |
Information use |
Patient health |
|
Address a clinical question Share information Exchange information |
Practice improved Learned something Motivated to learn |
Persuade Justify choice Understand issue |
Patient knowledge |