Take Charge of Pain: evaluating a community-targeted self-management education program for people with musculoskeletal pain
Elizabeth Hoon A E , Karen Smith B , Julie Black B , Simon Burnet C , Catherine Hill C D and Tiffany K. Gill DA School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Mail Drop DX 650 205, SA 5005, Australia.
B Arthritis SA, 118 Richmond Road, Marleston, SA 5033, Australia.
C The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Rheumatology Unit, 28 Woodville Road, Woodville, SA 5011, Australia.
D School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Level 3, Medical School South, SA 5005, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: Elizabeth.Hoon@adelaide.edu.au
Health Promotion Journal of Australia 28(1) 77-80 https://doi.org/10.1071/HE15123
Submitted: 22 October 2015 Accepted: 11 April 2016 Published: 6 June 2016
Abstract
Issue addressed: Musculoskeletal conditions are highly prevalent, affecting 28% of the Australian population. Given the persistent nature of many musculoskeletal conditions self-management is recognised as an important aspect of effective disease management. However, participant recruitment and retention for formal self-management programs is a challenge.
Methods: Arthritis SA (Arthritis Foundation of South Australia, a non-profit community health organisation) redesigned a shorter, community-orientated self-management education program delivered by health professionals. The program utilises aspects of the Stanford model of chronic disease self-management and motivational interviewing as well as principles of adult learning to create an effective learning environment. The program aims to guide participants to learn and practise a range of pain management strategies that are known to be effective in improving quality of life. This study used a pre- and post-test (at 6 weeks) design to determine whether this program achieved benefits in self-reported health outcomes. Outcomes that were measured included pain, fatigue, health distress, self-efficacy and communication.
Results: A response rate of 47% (n = 102) was achieved and small but statistically significant improvements in mean [s.d.] pain scores (6.1 [2.3] to 5.4 [2.4], P = 0.001), health distress (2.3 [1.3] to 2.0 [1.3], P = 0.002) and self-efficacy (6.2 [2.1] to 6.8 [2.2], P = 0.002) were found.
Conclusion: Community-based participants of this shorter, focused program recorded small but significant improvements in self-reported pain, health distress and self-efficacy. For those who completed the current program, Arthritis SA is currently exploring the potential of developing a booster session to promote sustainable positive health outcomes.
So what?: Supporting self-management through education is recognised as important but also as a key challenge for effective management of musculoskeletal conditions. Using a pre-post evaluation design, this study demonstrated effectiveness (short-term improvements for self-reported pain, health distress and self-efficacy) for a redesigned and shortened community-targeted program focusing on musculoskeletal pain.
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