Advancing Pain Care for Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease: Two Innovative Psychological Approaches

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemoglobin disorder impacting red blood cell and resulting in difficult-to-control pain, which significantly impacts quality of life and psychological wellbeing. There are barriers preventing patients living with SCD from receiving psychological care, and limited work demonstrating best psychological pain care practices. We describe two innovative approaches for incorporating psychological care in two clinics (i.e., pediatric and adult) serving patients living with SCD in a Southeastern United States health system. The first is psychological screening and referral to psychotherapy program. The second is a mindfulness program offering bedside interventions, retreats, and individual sessions. These innovative treatment approaches emphasize adapting psychological care to address care barriers (e.g., access to care, cultural stigma). Adaptable, patient-centered psychological approaches may positively impact pain and decrease healthcare utilization in clinics serving patients managing SCD. Case studies highlight the importance of flexibility and adaptation in service delivery. Both programs are feasible in demonstrating uptake, coordinating across programs, and working with medical providers. Future research and clinical efforts should continue developing adaptable, culturally sensitive psychological approaches to target pain in patients living with SCD, improve quality of life and psychological wellbeing in patients managing SCD, and positively impact health systems.