Exploring the barriers to identification of chronic pain in people with learning disabilities

Despite the relatively high incidence of chronic pain in the general population, there is a lack of research into its prevalence in people with learning disabilities. People with learning disabilities have greater exposure to some of the risk factors for developing chronic pain than the general population and experience health inequalities. The combination of these factors suggests that chronic pain in this population may go undetected. Barriers to conducting research with people with learning disabilities and challenges in identifying pain in this population increase the risk of under-identification of chronic pain. This article examines some of these barriers and considers the implications for nursing practice and healthcare services in improving identification of chronic pain in people with learning disabilities.