Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Primary Care Professionals Regarding Groups for People with Chronic Pain

Abstract

Identify the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Primary Health Care (PHC) professionals in relation to the care of people with chronic pain, based on work with therapeutic groups, highlighting the factors considered barriers and facilitators. Descriptive study, mixed-method, qualitative-quantitative study was conducted in two Family Health Units in Recife, Pernambuco, from August to November 2025. The sample consisted of health professionals with higher education who responded to the “Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice” questionnaire. A total of 17 professionals participated in the study: 12 from the Family Health team (eSF) and 5 from the Multidisciplinary team (eMulti). Seven categories were identified as barriers to care for people with chronic pain, highlighting the “lack of training, continuing education in health, and/or matrix support” and “structural and organizational barriers,” which were mentioned by 52.9% and 41.2% of professionals, respectively. Five categories were identified as facilitating aspects, among which the “presence of eMulti alongside eSF” and the “availability of social equipment in the territory to develop intersectoral health actions” were considered by 29.4% of the participants. The findings of this study offer relevant insights for critical reflection on the care of people with chronic pain in PHC.