Awareness of headache and of National Headache Society activities among primary care physicians - a qualitative study

Complex Patient Navigation by Veteran Patients in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for Chronic Headache Disease: A Qualitative Study

Patients living with headache diseases often have difficulty accessing evidence-based care. Authors conducted a qualitative research study with 20 patients receiving headache care at seven Headache Centers of Excellence within the Veterans Health Administration to examine their experiences navigating headache care. This study employed thematic qualitative analysis and conducted cross-case comparisons. Several key findings emerged. 1) Most patients saw multiple healthcare providers over numerous years before reaching a headache specialist to manage chronic headaches. 2) Receipt of high-quality and comprehensive headache specialty care was associated with high satisfaction. 3) Patients with headache diseases reported oftentimes they experienced an arduous journey across multiple healthcare systems and between several healthcare providers before receiving evidence-based headache treatment that they found acceptable. Results demonstrate that most patients were satisfied with their current specialty headache care in the Veterans Health Administration. Authors discuss implications for future studies and highlight ways to improve patient satisfaction and timely access to appropriate headache care.

Essential components of care in a multidisciplinary headache center: Perspectives from headache neurology specialists

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Comprehensive headache care involves numerous specialties and components that have not been well documented or standardized. This study aimed to elicit best practices and characterize important elements of care to be provided in multidisciplinary headache centers.

METHODS

Qualitative, semi-structured telephone interviews with a purposive sample of headache neurology specialists from across the US, using open-ended questions. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded. Coded data were further analyzed using immersion/crystallization techniques for final interpretation.

RESULTS

Mean years providing headache care was 17.7 (SD = 10.6). Twelve of the 13 participants held United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties headache certification. Six described their practice site as providing multidisciplinary headache care. Participants explained most of their patients had seen multiple doctors over many years, and had tried numerous unsuccessful treatments. They noted patients with chronic headache frequently present with comorbidities and become stigmatized. All participants asserted successful care depends on taking time to talk with and listen to patients, gain understanding, and earn trust. All participants believed multidisciplinary care is essential within a comprehensive headache center, along with staffing enough headache specialists, implementing detailed headache intake and follow-up protocols, and providing the newest medications, neuromodulation devices, botulinum toxin injections, monoclonal antibodies, nerve blocks and infusions, and treatment from a health psychologist. Other essential services for a headache center are other behavioral health practitioners providing cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, biofeedback and pain management; and autonomic neurology, neuropsychology, vestibular audiology, sleep medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, speech therapy, nutrition, complementary integrative health modalities, and highly trained support staff.

CONCLUSION

While headache neurology specialists form the backbone of headache care, experts interviewed for this study maintained their specialty is just one of many types of care needed to adequately treat patients with chronic headache, and this is best provided in a comprehensive, multidisciplinary center.

Awareness of Migraine Among Primary Care Physicians in Turkey: A Regional Study

Introduction

Migraine is a primary headache that involves genetic and environmental factors. In studies conducted in different countries, migraine was shown to be underdiagnosed, treated insufficiently, and highly related to disability. The primary aim of this study was to identify the competence in making a diagnosis of migraine by primary care physicians who provide basic health care to patients.

Methods

Primary care physicians (266 individuals) working in the primary health service centers located within the borders of Kayseri province were included in our study. The research was conducted by using techniques such as face-to-face meetings with the primary care physicians and by participants filling in questionnaires. A neurologist evaluated the questionnaire form. The information provided by the participants was evaluated according to the migraine without aura diagnostic criteria prepared by the International Headache Society (ICHD-3 Beta).

Results

Only 10.5% participants were able to give the complete diagnostic criteria of migraine without aura. The most well-known properties were unilateral (53.4%) and pulsating headaches (47%).

Conclusion

This study showed that educational programs are required regarding migraines for primary care physicians, supported by complete educational material.