Assessment of Adults Experiencing Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: A Randomized Trial of Group Versus Individual Format at an Australian Tertiary Pain Service

作者：Smith Natalie; Jordan Meredith^*; White Ruth; Bowman Jenny; Hayes Chris

来源：Pain Medicine, 2016, 17(2): 278-294.

DOI：10.1093/pm/pnv048

• Chronic Pain
• Multidisciplinary
• Wait-Time
• Self-Management
• Assessment
• Group

Objective. To compare the outcomes of a new group assessment format with conventional individual assessment.
Design. A randomized controlled trial.
Setting. An Australian tertiary hospital multidisciplinary pain service.
Patients. 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.

• 出版日期2016-2