Male chronic pelvic pain syndrome and the role of interdisciplinary pain management

Abstract

Introduction: This paper is a team collaboration which aims to describe the multidisciplinary chronic pelvic pain (CPP) service for men in a major London teaching hospital.

Method: Evidence from the European Association for Urology Guidelines and the small pool of relevant psychological literature is reviewed as well as results from our pelvic pain programme (LINK) in association with a description of the programme.

Results: Treatment targets for men with CPP are outlined. The roles of the consultant in pain management, clinical nurse specialist, clinical psychologist and specialist physiotherapist in delivering treatment are described. This includes the journey from initial consultation through treatment options. Finally, we describe our pelvic pain programme (LINK) which aims to deliver an effective multidisciplinary intervention via single sex groups.

Conclusion: This programme links all significant treatment dimensions as well as connecting groups of patients to reduce their sense of isolation. Evidence is presented from the formal evaluation of the programme.