Cost and Outcome of ACT informed Model of GP training for Pain
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cost and Outcome of a New ACT informed Model of GP training and Management of Persistent Pain: My Pain Journey Explained
IRAS ID
234151
Contact name
Suzanne Heywood-Everett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bradford District Care Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The estimated prevalence of persistent pain ranges according to clinical definitions, populations studied and survey methods. Of concern is the huge socio-economic burden in UK society. There is growing evidence of the biopsychosocial factors influencing patient experience and severity of pain. Many patients reporting poorly controlled pain often self-medicate and use diversion to cope.
“My Pain Journey Explained” is an innovative training approach, informed by the ‘Explain Pain Model’ (Butler and Moseley, 2013) to persistent pain, using a neurobiological framework for understanding pain, offering an alternative to medication. This intervention is delivered to GPs within an Acceptance and Commitment framework. If successful, this could prove a useful tool to train GPs to offer non-medicalised interventions, reducing prescribing behaviour and saving costs. Early indicators are promising; patients have reduced/stopped taking high levels of medication, reporting no change in pain but improved quality of life.
There are 4 practices involved, and a further 4 requested to be part of this trial. All participants will be registered prescribers who have weekly patient contact and are able to prescribe opiates. Participants will complete baseline questionnaires and learn about the training. Part 1 consists of PowerPoint slides and a comprehensive manual delivered during GP meetings at each practice, encouraging the consideration of alternative approaches. Part 2 consists of GP training based on Explain Pain. Part 1 and 2 are to be repeated 2 months later for each practice, with follow-up sessions for GPs to discuss barriers in implementation. Evaluation will explore GP satisfaction rates and feedback regarding whether referral/prescribing behaviour has been influenced. Initial outcome measures will be administered and repeated at 6 monthly intervals over a year. Follow-up of 4 interviews with a purposive sample of GPs will also be undertaken.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0006
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion