New Chronic Widespread Pain paper published

BMC Family Practice has accepted our research paper into improving care for patients with Chronic Widespread Pain (CWP).

"A qualitative study of professional stakeholders' perceptions about the implementation of a stepped care pain platform for people experiencing chronic widespread pain” was led by Dr Judith Gellatly, working alongside the team from CLAHRC GM.

CWP is a major public health issue, which can lead to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, in addition to a patient managing the impact of the condition itself.

Dr Gellatly and the team conducted the research, by engaging with a range of healthcare professionals across primary and secondary care; utilsing semi-structured face-to-face and phone interviews.

The analysis of the research was conducted according to Normalisation Process Theory, to assess the cultural and structural barriers to implementing a new process. It demonstrated the inherent challenges in introducing psychological interventions, and in introducing new referral processes for patients. The research also highlighted the need for greater joint-working across primary and secondary care, to minimise risk to patients.

The research concluded that a more innovative approach, including phone-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to manage chronic pain could potentially be implemented into an Improved Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) service.

This study is an important step in improving the care and the quality of life of people living with CWP. The publication by BMC Family Practice is a fitting recognition for the innovative and creative approach taken by the CLAHRC GM team to this project.

For more information about this work please contact Michael Spence michael.spence@srft.nhs.uk

Date Published: 25/10/2018