Sources of evidence

Acute Pancreatitis

Reports pertaining to episodes of acute pancreatitis may be obtained from hospital doctors or general practitioners. Once recovery is complete people are likely to be discharged from hospital outpatient care, and the general practitioner may be the most useful source of current clinical information.

Chronic pancreatitis

People whose condition is stable and whose symptoms are controlled by regular medication are likely to be under the care of general practitioners from whom reports may be obtained. Newly diagnosed cases or those with progressive disease are likely to attend hospital out-patients, usually surgical or gastroenterology clinics.

People with severe pain, including problems with opiate dependency, are likely to attend pain management clinics, from which reports can be requested. Specialist nurses and other health care professionals such as occupational therapists, psychologist’s etc. working in these clinics may be able to provide information.

Additional information may be obtained from community alcohol misuse services, or mental health services, in cases where alcohol misuse is the major coexisting health problem.

An HCP examination report may be the most useful source of up to date information, if the condition is stable with infrequent clinic or GP attendance, or where there are additional disabling effects due to the psychological, physical and cognitive complications of alcohol misuse. Advice from Medical Services should be obtained when the management of chronic pancreatitis is complicated by the co existing problems of alcohol misuse and /or opiate dependency.

Amended April 2008