title: Understanding the information and service needs of young adults with chronic pain: perspectives of young adults and their providers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To qualitatively explore the information and service needs of young adults (YAs) with chronic pain to inform the development of a web-based chronic pain self-management program.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of YAs (n=17; aged 18 to 29 y) with chronic pain was recruited from 2 adult tertiary care multidisciplinary chronic pain clinics in Ontario. Interdisciplinary health care professionals who had worked in chronic pain for at least 1 year were also recruited from these sites. Five audiotaped focus groups were conducted, 3 for YAs and 2 for health care professionals. Transcribed data were organized into categories that reflected emerging themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings uncovered 4 major themes: (1) pain impact, (2) pain management strategies, (3) barriers to care, and (4) service delivery recommendations. Subthemes were found under each major theme. Pain had an impact on social and emotional realms and role functioning, physical functioning, and future vocational and life goals. Pain management strategies were comprised of psychological, physical, and pharmacological approaches and development of support systems. Barriers to care were revealed at the patient, health care system, and societal levels. Finally, service delivery recommendations were divided into 2 subthemes pertaining to improved services and Internet-based programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants unanimously felt that a web-based program would be an acceptable means to help improve access to services and meet the need for more information about chronic pain, strategies to manage pain symptoms, and social support to address the unique developmental needs of YAs.
authors: Department of Anesthesia and Pain, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. jennifer.stinson@sickkids.ca
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Stinson
authors: Meghan
authors: M
authors: White
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Isaac
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: Campbell
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Brown
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Ruskin
authors: Allan
authors: A
authors: Gordon
authors: Marilyn
authors: M
authors: Galonski
authors: Leah
authors: L
authors: Pink
authors: Norman
authors: N
authors: Buckley
authors: James L
authors: JL
authors: Henry
authors: Chitra
authors: C
authors: Lalloo
authors: Allia
authors: A
authors: Karim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult