title: Patients as collaborators: using focus groups and feedback sessions to develop an interactive, web-based self-management intervention for chronic pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the development of an interactive, web-based self-management intervention for opioid-treated, chronic pain patients with aberrant drug-related behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three chronic pain patients participated in either focus groups (N = 23) or individual feedback sessions (N = 30). Focus groups probed interest in and relevance of the planned content and structure of the program. Individual session participants reviewed draft program modules and provided feedback on acceptability, ease of use, and usefulness. Focus group transcripts were thematically analyzed, and summary statistics were performed on feedback data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Focus group participants stressed the need for additional pain management strategies and emphasized themes consistent with planned program content related to: 1) ambivalence about opioids; 2) reciprocal relationships among cognition, mood, and pain; 3) importance of recognizing physical limitations; and 4) effectiveness of goal setting for increasing motivation and functioning. Participants also offered insights on: 5) the loss of identity due to chronic pain; and 6) the desire to connect with pain peers to share strategies for managing daily life. Feedback session data demonstrate that participants believed that a web-based tool would be potentially useful and acceptable, and that exposure to program sections significantly increased participants' knowledge of key topics related to self-management of chronic pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest the potential value of self-management for chronic pain patients and the potential acceptability of web-based delivery of intervention content. Focus group and feedback methodologies highlight the usefulness of including potential program users in intervention development.
authors.affiliation: National Development and Research Institutes, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Honoria
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guarino
authors.forename: Michelle C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.forename: Ian David
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Aronson
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Marsch
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenblum
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Grabinski
authors.forename: Dennis C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Turk
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Chronic Pain; Cognitive-Behavior Therapy; Internet; Self-Management