Abstract
ABSTRACTBackground: Chronic pain affects one in five Canadians. People with chronic pain frequently experience loss in their lives related to work, relationships, and their independence. They may be referred to a chronic pain program, which aims to strengthen coping through medical intervention and self-management skills. Data suggest that, even when individuals begin their pain program, many feel overwhelmed and do not continue.Aims: The aim of this study was to conduct a needs assessment to explore the acceptability and feasibility of developing a psychosocial intervention, narrative therapy (NT), to address loss for chronic pain patients on the wait list of a chronic pain program.Methods: Two focus groups were conducted with ten patients who had experienced being on a wait list for a provincial chronic pain management program (CPMP). Transcribed interviews were subjected to thematic and interpretive analysis.Results: Two major themes emerged from the analysis: loss of identity and sharing a story of chronic pain. All patients were enthusiastic toward an NT intervention, although individual preferences differed regarding mode of delivery.Conclusions: Loss is a significant part of the chronic pain experience. NT seems to be an acceptable intervention to address loss for patients on the wait list for a chronic pain program.
Highlights
One in five Canadian adults suffers from chronic pain, with a prevalence rate of up to 30% across Canada[1] and approximately 35% of adults in Alberta.[2,3] Pain has been defined as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage” and is usually described as chronic after 3 months.[4,5] Chronic pain often results in significant suffering, disability, and reduced quality of life,[3] because it affects sleep, mood, anxiety, cognition, and emotional functioning.[6]
Loss is a significant part of the chronic pain experience
Initial care for chronic pain occurs in primary care settings; those with more severe or refractory pain are usually referred to a chronic pain program (CPP)
Summary
One in five Canadian adults suffers from chronic pain, with a prevalence rate of up to 30% across Canada[1] and approximately 35% of adults in Alberta.[2,3] Pain has been defined as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage” and is usually described as chronic after 3 months.[4,5] Chronic pain often results in significant suffering, disability, and reduced quality of life,[3] because it affects sleep, mood, anxiety, cognition, and emotional functioning.[6]. People with chronic pain frequently experience loss in their lives related to work, relationships, and their independence. They may be referred to a chronic pain program, which aims to strengthen coping through medical intervention and self-management skills. Aims: The aim of this study was to conduct a needs assessment to explore the acceptability and feasibility of developing a psychosocial intervention, narrative therapy (NT), to address loss for chronic pain patients on the wait list of a chronic pain program. Methods: Two focus groups were conducted with ten patients who had experienced being on a wait list for a provincial chronic pain management program (CPMP). Results: Two major themes emerged from the analysis: loss of identity and sharing a story of chronic pain. All patients were enthusiastic toward an NT intervention, individual preferences differed regarding mode of delivery
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