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Take Charge of Pain: evaluating a community‐targeted self‐management education program for people with musculoskeletal pain
Author(s) -
Hoon Elizabeth,
Smith Karen,
Black Julie,
Burnet Simon,
Hill Catherine,
Gill Tiffany K.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he15123
Subject(s) - medicine , physical therapy , self management , distress , community health , population health , population , quality of life (healthcare) , public health , nursing , clinical psychology , environmental health , machine learning , computer science
Issue addressed Musculoskeletal conditions are highly prevalent, affecting 28% of the Australian population. Given the persistent nature of many musculoskeletal conditions self‐management is recognised as an important aspect of effective disease management. However, participant recruitment and retention for formal self‐management programs is a challenge. Methods Arthritis SA (Arthritis Foundation of South Australia, a non‐profit community health organisation) redesigned a shorter, community‐orientated self‐management education program delivered by health professionals. The program utilises aspects of the Stanford model of chronic disease self‐management and motivational interviewing as well as principles of adult learning to create an effective learning environment. The program aims to guide participants to learn and practise a range of pain management strategies that are known to be effective in improving quality of life. This study used a pre‐ and post‐test (at 6 weeks) design to determine whether this program achieved benefits in self‐reported health outcomes. Outcomes that were measured included pain, fatigue, health distress, self‐efficacy and communication. Results A response rate of 47% (n = 102) was achieved and small but statistically significant improvements in mean [s.d.] pain scores (6.1 [2.3] to 5.4 [2.4], P = 0.001), health distress (2.3 [1.3] to 2.0 [1.3], P = 0.002) and self‐efficacy (6.2 [2.1] to 6.8 [2.2], P = 0.002) were found. Conclusion Community‐based participants of this shorter, focused program recorded small but significant improvements in self‐reported pain, health distress and self‐efficacy. For those who completed the current program, Arthritis SA is currently exploring the potential of developing a booster session to promote sustainable positive health outcomes. So what? Supporting self‐management through education is recognised as important but also as a key challenge for effective management of musculoskeletal conditions. Using a pre‐post evaluation design, this study demonstrated effectiveness (shortterm improvements for self‐reported pain, health distress and self‐efficacy) for a redesigned and shortened communitytargeted program focusing on musculoskeletal pain.