RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To understand how patients' use of photo-elicitation and online social networks (Facebook) enhances their understanding of what it means to live with pain. DESIGN: Qualitative substudy of the intervention arm of a randomized trial. SETTING/SUBJECTS: Primary care patients living with pain drawn from nine family practices with at least two pain visits in the last six months. METHODS: The private Facebook group was co-facilitated by a moderator and a patient-investigator who lives with chronic pain. Patients were asked to share photos that elicit their lived experience with chronic pain, and facilitators guided participants in ongoing discussion about these photos, and thus the life with pain. Facebook discussions were analyzed via Dedoose (a qualitative analysis software) using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Discussions of photos elicited three overarching themes regarding patients' lived experience with chronic pain: 1) patients' redefined pain identity; 2) pain interference with enjoyment of life and activities; and 3) patients' diminished ability to function. CONCLUSIONS: Photo-elicitation is an innovative way to shed light on patients' lived experience with chronic pain. Despite some technical challenges, Facebook support groups utilizing photo-elicitation can provide a readily available platform that can facilitate interchange of patient experiences and might help patients communicate with their providers.
Asunto(s)
Dolor Crónico/psicología , Acontecimientos que Cambian la Vida , Redes Sociales en Línea , Dimensión del Dolor/psicología , Estimulación Luminosa/métodos , Fotograbar/métodos , Adulto , Anciano , Dolor Crónico/diagnóstico , Dolor Crónico/terapia , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Dimensión del Dolor/métodosRESUMEN
An estimated 100 million Americans are living with chronic pain. The majority of the chronic pain literature focuses on the biological impact of the condition and very little attention is given to patients' lived experience with chronic pain and the enactment of their resiliency. Yet, resiliency may play a critical role in patients' experience of pain intensity as well as self-efficacy to manage their pain. The main objective of this study was to explore the origin and enactment of resiliency across a sample of 12 chronic pain patients. In-depth phone interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results indicate that patients exhibited resiliency in four ways: (1) developing a sense of control - independently seeking information and cross-checking this information with their doctors' recommendations (2) active engagement in medical and complementary treatment; (3) establishing social connections; and (4) exhibiting pain acceptance and positive affect. This study lays the foundation to explore whether resiliency improves clinical outcomes among patients living with chronic pain. The findings support the need for clinicians to evaluate and treat chronic pain patients through the lens of resiliency.
RESUMEN
Adding simvastatin to standard wound care improves ulcer healing rates and times as well as the patient's quality of life.