Despite studying for a foundation module in pain management, I learnt an awful lot. It was great other members found the biopsychosocial model of chronic pain so useful. It reinforced what I have been learning. I shared some of the resources which are available for general access which I think is essential as we all want to improve patient care. Right at the end, the physiotherapist who attended this session mentioned establishing a chronic pain clinic with education and paced activities at its heart. I am very keen to get involved so volunteered to help. I hope to include neuropathy patients (non-freezing cold injury). My own hypothesis is if we can normalise what these individuals are complaining of, give them a label of chronic pain (albeit of neuropathic origin) and get them to engage with other chronic pain sufferers, I think they will do better. They will feel engaged and empowered.
Interestingly and once again, we had a physiotherapist attend as an observer but who also played an active part. He is about to undertake a dissertation as part of an MSc in pain management. In the end, he was one of the group, contributing and discussing like the rest of us. Having a healthcare professional from other disciplines in a small group learning environment represents a wonderful opportunity. There is the possibility of funding for a more widespread study into PBSGL within Defence Primary Healthcare and I hope we can extend it to our physiotherapy and nursing colleagues.
In the end, we summarised what we had learned and shared the resources. Here are a few & I hope you find them useful:
Palouse mindfulness – I shared this after I discovered about it at a psychiatry course. Well worth a look.
Head Space as the go-to app (based on evidence, albeit one study, small & undertaken by the app authors!). Also, highest rated mindfulness app according to another paper using the MARS scale. I should add, there doesn’t appear to be hard evidence that Mindfulness improves chronic pain. It enhances acceptability but not intensity, probably by enhancing affective elements.
‘Struggling to be me‘ video (plus the healthcare professional opinions – a real eye-opener). Based on a BJGP paper exploring patients experiences of living with chronic pain.
www.paincommunitycentre.org – requires registration but a fantastic resource for chronic pain presentations and educational material. UPDATE Unfortunately this website was discontinued on Feb 19. However, a lot of the talks are available at the Vimeo site.
pain-ed.com – not thoroughly evaluated but looks good.
The pain team page at the University College Hospital London – some good videos for patients who want to learn more.
Understanding pain in less than 5 minutes – YouTube video
Lower Back Pain by DocMikeEvans – YouTube video
Am I safe to move – Audio lecture by Prof Lorimer Moseley on pain
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