title: Assessment of Adults Experiencing Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: A Randomized Trial of Group Versus Individual Format at an Australian Tertiary Pain Service.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcomes of a new group assessment format with conventional individual assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  An Australian tertiary hospital multidisciplinary pain service.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults referred with chronic non-cancer pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following attendance at an education and orientation group, 211 participants were randomized to either a group assessment format (focused on supported self-assessment) or individual assessment. Follow-up occurred 3 months post-assessment and prior to subsequent pain service intervention. Outcome measures were pain intensity, pain interference, self-efficacy, psychological distress, health care utilization beyond the pain service, waiting time, participant satisfaction, and implementation of self-management strategies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-two participants undertook group assessment and 90 were assessed individually. Follow-up data were collected on 57 group and 72 individual assessment participants. Results revealed no significant differences between the two assessment formats in outcome with the exception of wait-times. Median wait-time to the first offer of assessment was 47 days for the group format and 144 days for individual.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Group assessment provides a viable alternative to conventional individual assessment. The group assessment reduced wait-times while delivering otherwise comparable outcomes.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D018710:Pain Clinics / Q000592:standards; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D020377:Self Efficacy; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000592:standards