Exploring stakeholders' perceptions of peer support for adults with chronic pain: a mixed methods study.

Arnott, Rachel Elise

Abstract

Peer support interventions could play a pivotal role in the management of chronic pain, yet there has not been a study to assess the preferences of adults with chronic pain or healthcare professionals regarding intervention components. Critical gaps in the current research base include understanding the perceptions of those that develop and participate in peer support interventions. This information is crucial for healthcare services, charities and community groups to be able to develop and implement interventions that are both feasible and optimally beneficial for those involved. The aim of this study was to explore the preferences of stakeholders surrounding peer support interventions (PSIs) in order to make recommendations for the design and development of peer support interventions tailored to adults with chronic non-cancer pain. Stakeholders included adults with chronic non-cancer pain and individuals with experience of managing chronic pain or delivering peer support interventions. This research was a mixed-methods sequential explanatory study with two phases. Both phases were conducted with two participant groups: 1) adults with chronic non-cancer pain and 2) individuals with experience of treating chronic pain or delivering peer support interventions. The first phase consisted of an online survey and subsequent analysis with descriptive statistics to determine participant preferences regarding intervention components. The second phase consisted of qualitative semi-structured interviews with framework analysis. This aided in exploring these preferences in greater depth and determining any common similarities or differences amongst and within the participant groups. The key findings from the mixed-method study were focussed on participants expressing a desire for PSIs to be flexible and delivered in multiple ways. Participants wanted programmes with flexible scheduling, offered in as many delivery modes as possible (face-to-face, online, option for follow up via messaging or phone calls) and without obligation or judgment when pain flares prevented their attendance. Participants also expanded on the reasons for wanting flexible offerings as barriers to attendance such as physical and logistical barriers made it difficult to consistently attend in-person gatherings. Participants shared how chronic pain can affect people across the lifespan, so it is valuable to talk with someone from a similar life stage (retired versus working, with or without children). Finally, participants placed high value on individual preferences and suggested whenever a programme is being developed, for organizers to receive input from potential attendees. This research generated new knowledge that can be used to make recommendations for the design and development of peer support interventions tailored to adults with chronic pain. The NHS and other healthcare systems can utilise PSIs as an alternative way to support people living with pain and value person-centred care. Additional exploratory work is required to coproduce, pilot and evaluate a PSI incorporating the key findings from this research.

Citation

ARNOTT, R.E. 2023. Exploring stakeholders' perceptions of peer support for adults with chronic pain: a mixed methods study. Robert Gordon University, DPT thesis. Hosted on OpenAIR [online]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2270680

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Mar 12, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 12, 2024
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2270680
• Keywords: Chronic pain; Patient support; Patient peer support; Self-management; Person-centred practice
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2270680
• Award Date: Oct 31, 2023