title: The development and impact of a chronic pain support group: a qualitative and quantitative study.
abstract: To study the process of establishment, and evaluate the outcome of participation, in a self-help support group for people with chronic nonmalignant pain, members of a newly-established, consumer-led group participated in two interviews 5 months apart and a researcher observed group meetings. Participants reported significant benefits from participating in the group. They had a significant increase in functional ability and activity, and reported decreased recourse to health professionals, particularly family physicians. This study indicates that pain support groups can play a valuable role for people in pain, assisting with support and rehabilitation, and meeting needs that health professionals are often not appropriate or able to provide.
authors.affiliation: Asian Pacific Resource and Research Center for Women, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Subramaniam
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012657:Self-Help Groups