Experience-based design: Empowering individuals while they wait for interprofessional chronic pain care

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Chronic pain management
• Patient-centered care

Background:

• Chronic pain is a prevalent cause of disability with long wait times for interprofessional care.
• Web-based interventions can improve psychosocial function and self-management readiness.
• Co-design with people with lived experience (PWLE) is crucial for developing effective online programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the co-development process of an online self-management program for chronic pain, enhanced by motivational interviewing.
• To report the multiphase usability testing of this web-based program.

Main Methods:

• Inclusion of PWLE in all project phases: inception, content creation, module development, and usability testing.
• Development of eight interactive web-based modules covering pain management topics.
• Multiphase usability testing, including PWLE and clinical experts, with iterative content and accessibility improvements.

Main Results:

• An eight-module online program, 'Chronic Pain & Motivational Empowerment,' was created, incorporating a reflection journal and motivational interviewing coaching.
• Usability testing led to content revisions and the addition of accessibility features.
• Phase 3 testing with 10 PWLE indicated high program accessibility and ease of use.

Conclusions:

• Engaging PWLE as team members and advisors ensured the online program's relevance, sensitivity, and helpfulness for individuals with chronic pain.
• This PWLE-centric approach establishes a foundation for future research on the program's feasibility and effectiveness in supporting chronic pain self-management.