Authors (including presenting author) :
Cheng KY (1), Chang CM (1), LAM CY (2)
Affiliation :
(1) Pain Management Unit, Department of Anaesthesia and Operating Theatre Services, New Territories West Cluster (NTWC), (2) School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Introduction :
Chronic pain causes biopsychosocial impacts on patients, such as diminishes activity levels, induces emotional distress, and hinders social connection. In response, the Pain Management Unit of NTWC developed a nurse-led programme, Pain Journey, for promoting patients’ quality of life by optimizing their knowledge and awareness of pain management (PM) through four components: wellness, integration, support and education. This presentation shares preliminary results from the program’s implementation.
Objectives :
- To assess patients’ perceived benefits of Pain Journey.
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of Pain Journey.
Methodology :
Patients’ perceived benefits of the programme was assessed by an investigator-developed questionnaire. Patients were asked to respond to 22 items which assessing knowledge of chronic pain and pain management (8 items), utilization of pain management strategies (8 items), and overall comment on the programme (6 items) in a numeric scale ranging from 0 to 10. Cost-effectiveness of the programme was evaluated by the number of clinic visits and time spent, nursing manpower and resources.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 32 patients with various chronic non-malignant pain conditions, including musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia, participated the programme. They are required to attend four 2.5hour sessions at hospital. Twenty-nine patients (90.625%) attended at least one session, 20 patients (62.50%) attended all sessions, however, 3 patients (9.375%) attended none of the session. In the post-programme survey, it revealed that patients’ perceived benefits were good in knowledge of chronic pain and pain management strategies, and utilization of pain management strategies with mean score 7.569 and 7.544 respectively. Also, patient’s overall comment and qualitative feedback were good.
Compared to the conventional individual consultation approach, Pain Journey allowed patients to receive same volume of content in 73.33% time lesser. As such, both direct and indirect cost were consequently reduced. Moreover, Pain Journey maintained a nurse-patient ratio of approximately 1:4 in each session by reassigning current nursing manpower without additional resources and equipment.
Conclusions:
Findings of this preliminary evaluation showed Pain Journey was generally well accepted by adult patients with chronic non-malignant pain and cost effective. The programme provided patients with knowledge on chronic pain and pain management at appropriate level and content. It may also help lower patients’ expenses on clinic visit cost at the same time receiving adequate information. Further, by reassigning manpower in pain management team, it may preserve resources to other unmet area. Future studies with larger sample size and measurement on physical activities may provide deeper insights into Pain Journey implementation and its applicability to other pain groups.
