Patient Perspectives from the Multi-Disciplinary Chronic Pain Clinic: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Aim: The chronic pain clinic (CPC) is a multi-disciplinary program that incorporates pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods, including First Nations healing strategies, to manage pain, improve functioning and reduce opioid misuse among patients with chronic pain in Regina, Canada. Materials & methods: The care experiences of ten current clients were explored using a narrative interview approach. Results: The CPC provides high-quality and safe care for effective chronic pain management. Clients noted pain reduction and improvements in sleep, mobility, functionality, and mood. First Nation clients emphasized the importance of traditional healing strategies. Conclusion: This unique comprehensive multi-modal approach which incorporates First Nations healing strategies is effective in supporting the unique needs of local clients.

Keywords::

• chronic pain
• implementation evaluation
• opioids
• opioid use disorder
• qualitative

Author contributions

M Pandey: Developed the research design, prepared ethics application, carried out interview with patients, data collection, analysis and prepared first draft of the manuscript. R Marwah: Is the clinical lead and the pain specialist and developed the Chronic Pain Clinic program. She assisted with the research plan, identified eligible clients for the program support initial review of program clients. Review and edited data analysis and edited the draft of the manuscript. M McLean: Carried out literature, prepared introduction and extensively edited data analysis and the final draft of the manuscript. E Paluck: Review research plan and design. Reviewed data analysis and the patient chart review and edited the final version of the manuscript. A Oliver: Assisted with ethics application. Carried out the initial patient review and recruited interview client and transcription of interview and final editing of the manuscript. D Rude: Reviewed draft provided information about First Nation clients as patient advisors on the study. Edited and review the patient questionnaire guide. Reviewed and edited the manuscript to ensure correct terminology was used when referring to First Nation people. L Oaks: Revised the patient interview guide. Ensured that the perspectives of the First Nation clients were reflected accurately in the data analysis and edited the manuscript. S Maierhoffer: Identified eligible clients, assist with initial review of patient charts and data cleaning reviewed and edited the manuscript.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the clients who participated in the interviews, S Patel, and the Chronic Pain Clinic staff for assistance with data abstraction and coordination with patients for the project. We thank B Melynchuk, nursing staff for identifying eligible clients, booking appointment, helped with recruitment of patient advisor and assist with initial review of patient charts. The authors also thank those who comprise the 9-member ‘Sponsor Committee’ of clinicians and stakeholders.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This project received $15,000 funding from Saskatchewan Center for Patient-Oriented Research (grant ID 3442) in 2019 to complete the study. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.

Additional information

Funding

This project received $15,000 funding from Saskatchewan Center for Patient-Oriented Research (grant ID 3442) in 2019 to complete the study. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.