Descriptive analysis and program evaluation of a model pain coach educator and integrative toolkit program in an urban hospital system

A model pain coach education program was developed and implemented in an urban safety-net emergency department with expansion to in and outpatients. We describe program components, demographics, and one-month survey results.

Identified patients with acute and chronic pain received customized pain education and integrative toolkits. From January 2021 to August 2023, 2218 sessions were provided to 1957 unique patients. One-month follow-up surveys began after a trial period and assessed post-discharge toolkit usage and perceived program value.

Most participants identified as female, black, and experienced musculoskeletal and acute pain. When examining educational topics and toolkit item distribution by sociodemographic factors, we found significant differences in age, gender, race, and neighborhood socioeconomic status. One-month survey respondents reported materials provided were helpful in their ability to self-manage pain at home. Most reported using pain education and/or toolkit items daily or weekly.

Results suggest this novel pain coach education program was endorsed by patients experiencing pain in a variety of settings and may promote self-pain management, evidenced by sustained use of integrative pain management concepts after discharge. These findings may be of particular importance in black female patients, a vulnerable population often subject to marginalization and disparities in pain management.

A low-cost pain education session and customized toolkit enhances home self-pain management strategies for patients who experience acute or chronic pain, particularly in black female patients.