STUDY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. CENTRE of ACADEMIC PRIMARY CARE EOPIC Engaging with Older People and their carers to develop Interventions for the self-management of Chronic pain Denise Gray1 On behalf of the EOPIC team (Professor Blair Smith1, Dr Pat Schofield1, Dr Amanda Clarke1, Dr Paul McNamee1, Professor Denis Martin2, Dr Derek Jones3, Dr Pat Roche1 ) 1University of Aberdeen Centre of Academic Primary Care ; Health Economics Research Unit; 2 Teesside University Institute of Health & Social Care,;3Glasgow Caledonian University School of Health • STUDY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES • The overall aim of this study is to achieve a deeper understanding of the consequences of ageing with chronic pain and, through this, develop innovative ways in which older people can possess the knowledge, skills and confidence to live independently at home in the presence of self-managed pain. • Phase I (3-21 months):To investigate the impact of chronic pain, including interpersonal aspects of the everyday lives of older adults and pain-related barriers to participation, as played out in their particular social context. • Phase II(6-18 months): To determine attitudes and approaches to chronic pain management amongst health practitioners, older adults and their informal carers. Comprehensive literature review of the acceptability and cost-effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical pain management strategies. • Phase III(6-24 months): To determine the economic consequences of pain in older adults. • Phase IV(18-30 months): Work with older adults to develop and evaluate appropriate materials which will promote and facilitate the self-management of pain. • Phase V(24-42 months): Explore ways of communicating information and support about the self-management of pain. • PHASE I - EMERGING ISSUES • Participants reported a range of issues, reflecting for example, their attitude towards pain and the effect of chronic pain on personal and interpersonal aspects of their everyday lives. • “…It’s [managing pain] just a case of getting on and getting up and getting going”. (Int 7) • “I’m hoping to get a carer to help me put on my shoes, maybe once a week. I’m always in slippers and it’s affected me mentally… I’ll put it like this, it’s horrible being helpless. I’m completely at the mercy of others to take me to things. (Int 1) • “…I did get a label eventually. It did [help] to know that there was a term for it, that it wasn’t just a figment of my imagination”. (Int 14) • The most difficult things to deal with are: • Not having a clear diagnosis • Missing out on normal social activities • Loss of independence • Unpredictability of good versus bad episodes of pain • The most helpful things are: • Keeping busy and active • Having company and someone to talk to • Having access to transport or a driver • Help with everyday activities and personal needs • Summary: • The initial findings highlight the complex nature of the pain experience and the importance of a multidimensional approach to pain management. Acknowledgements to EOPIC Advisory Group David Falconer , Pain Association,; Scotland Beverley Collett, Chronic Pain Coalition, UK ; Arduino Mangoni, Professor of Geriatric Medicine, Aberdeen; Alistair Chambers, Pain consultant, Aberdeen; Rosemary & Michael Morrison, Ron Marsh and Richard Gard, Service Users Phase 1 of this study is led by The University of Aberdeen Centre of Academic Primary Care, in collaboration with the University of Teesside Institute of Health & Social Care and Glasgow Caledonian University School of Health. Email: eopic@abdn.ac.uk or Telephone: 01224 559456 EOPIC is funded by the Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Initiative, a cross Research Council programme managed by the MRC in collaboration with the BBSRC, EPSRC, and ESRC.