Take Charge of Pain: evaluating a community-targeted self-management education program for people with musculoskeletal pain.
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 (short-term improvements for self-reported pain, health distress and self-efficacy) for a redesigned and shortened community-targeted program focusing on musculoskeletal pain.
School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Mail Drop DX 650 205, SA 5005, Australia.
Elizabeth
E
Hoon
Arthritis SA, 118 Richmond Road, Marleston, SA 5033, Australia.
Karen
K
Smith
Arthritis SA, 118 Richmond Road, Marleston, SA 5033, Australia.
Julie
J
Black
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Rheumatology Unit, 28 Woodville Road, Woodville, SA 5011, Australia.
Simon
S
Burnet
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Rheumatology Unit, 28 Woodville Road, Woodville, SA 5011, Australia.
Catherine
C
Hill
School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Level 3, Medical School South, SA 5005, Australia.
Tiffany K
TK
Gill
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D000073278:Self-Management / Q000379:methods*