How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected patients’ experience of pain management therapy?

OBJECTIVES: The current service evaluation aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on patients' experiences of pain management therapy. The study examined the barriers and benefits of the move from face-to-face to eHealth methods of delivery. DESIGN: A service evaluation was conducted in an outpatient pain clinic in an NHS Trust in the East of England. A qualitative approach was taken using semi-structured interviews. METHODS: Participants were recruited through a health psychology service operating as part of a multidisciplinary pain management clinic. Six patients, aged 39–67, were interviewed one-to-one using the online platform Zoom(TM). During COVID-19, participants had individual or group pain management therapy via telephone or video conferencing. All interviews were transcribed using Otter.ai(TM) and thematic analysis was performed. The study was approved by internal clinical governance for service evaluations and the authors adhered to the BPS Code of Human Research Ethics. RESULTS: Three key themes emerged from the analysis; Benefits Aside From Pain Relief, Limited Their Experience, and COVID-19: A Double-Edged Sword. CONCLUSION: Findings suggested patients were able to benefit from pain management therapy despite the impact of COVID-19 on daily routines and pain experience. Adopting eHealth methods during the pandemic was an effective means of accessing pain management therapy. These methods allowed patients to continue to benefit from peer support and learn about skills and resources regarding self-management, whilst also improving accessibility for those with chronic pain. Yet, these methods are not without their limitations. Technical issues and difficulties creating therapeutic connections with psychologists limited patients' experience of pain management therapy.