Digital resources for pain management: Psychologists’ perspectives and suggestions

Abstract

Chronic pain is a worldwide epidemic, with challenges pertaining to its high prevalence, complexity, management, psychosocial impact and economic impact. Due to the rarity of a cure for chronic pain, and a lack of access to in-person pain management services, there is a need for improving the accessibility of pain management options. Therefore, there has been growing interest towards the development and use of digital resources. These resources aim to promote an independent and self-management approach to living with chronic pain. They can be accessed through computers and electronic hand-held devices, as information websites, applications (apps), pain programs, and social support forums. There is limited research pertaining to client and health professional perspectives in this area. Furthermore, to date, there is no literature detailing psychologists’ attitudes and perspectives, which is a noteworthy gap due to their involvement in the development of digital resources and their integral role in pain management. Using thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with eight registered psychologists, this study aimed to explore psychologists’ perspectives of and suggestions regarding digital resources for pain management. Six overarching themes and their respective sub-themes were identified, indicating that digital resources are perceived as useful, although difficulties were identified pertaining to digital social support and client-decision making, with various perceived barriers and facilitators towards digital resource use (categorised by accessibility and support). Participants made suggestions about what an ideal digital resource would incorporate for pain management. These findings may inform the modification of existing resources, and formulation of additional appropriate and tailored co-designed digital resources for the management of chronic pain.