Qualitative analysis of long-term chronic pain program management outcomes: Veterans and civilians

LAY SUMMARY This study sought to determine how much patients with chronic pain could be helped to function better long after completing a four-week interdisciplinary pain management program. Comments from 16 Veterans and 23 civilians four months to four years after the end of the program showed 10 common themes: 1) gratefulness for their treatment in the program, 2) improved ability to function, 3) better coping strategies and confidence, 4) empowered to overcome daily challenges, 5) on a path to rehabilitation and recovery, 6) the need for support groups, 7) still had struggles, 8) the need for additional follow-up to maintain gains, 9) wishing they had attended the program sooner, and 10) would recommend the program to others. Veterans' comments were no different than those of civilians. Results emphasize that Veterans and civilians share a common experience and maintain their benefits from interdisciplinary care in managing chronic pain. On the basis of these findings, clinicians have opportunities to improve quality and apply new services to the program. Introduction: This study evaluated the long-term (four months to four years) effectiveness of a four-week interdisciplinary chronic pain management program through qualitative analysis while also identifying differences between Veterans and civilians. Methods: This study used a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative data for this study are descriptive statistics for patient demographics and satisfaction measures. Qualitative data were collected through participants' comments on two satisfaction measures, the Pain Program Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Self-Evaluation Scale. Of the 197 participants who completed the program, 67 returned follow-up measures, 39 of whom provided written comments. The 39 commenters consisted of 16 Veterans and 23 civilians. Comments were independently organized into themes by four researchers using an inductive approach. Results: Ten main themes emerged: 1) gratefulness for treatment and program, 2) improvement in ability, 3) new sense of resiliency, ability to cope, and new confidence, 4) empowered over recovery, 5) on the path to rehabilitation and recovery - a process and journey, 6) need for support groups, 7) some patients are doing well, but some still struggle, 8) patients need continued follow-up to ensure they are on track and do not regress, 9) timeliness of program - needed earlier in course of chronic pain, 10) program merits recommendation. Veterans and civilians had all themes in common. Discussion: Results emphasize the commonality of experience and sustained benefits of interdisciplinary care for managing chronic pain among both Veterans and civilians and provide opportunities for clinicians to improve quality and apply new services to the program.