Online Resources Could Help Address Gaps in Pain Management

Online eHealth resources could improve current gaps and inequities in pain management, according to a study published in the journal Pain Management Nursing.¹ However, the authors said that improving accessibility to these programs will be critical to increasing their real-world impact on patient outcomes.

Online Resources Could Help Address Gaps in Pain Management Care / AndSus - stock.adobe.com

Chronic pain impacts around 21% of adults in the United States and new cases of the condition occur more frequently than other common illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and depression.² Research has shown that online eHealth platforms can improve pain and related symptoms, but there is currently a lack of data on patient preferences and priorities that could make these tools have a greater impact.

READ MORE: Problematic Opioid Prescribing Among Patients with Chronic Pain

“Online resources of all kinds are convenient and well-liked by both patients and healthcare professionals,” the authors wrote. “Approximately 90% of US adults have a smartphone and 95% use the internet. Comparable effects have been achieved whether pain treatments are administered in person or online and lower costs have been achieved with online options. Other advantages of online delivery include reducing burdensome travel and improving availability of specialty care to remote, rural or quarantine areas where adequately trained clinicians may be in short supply.”

A team of researchers from Washington State University conducted a study to investigate the perspectives of people with pain and healthcare workers regarding online resources for pain management. Study participants were selected from a cross-sectional online survey that was “part of a federally-funded project to gather information regarding whether and how online pain self-management resources could be developed and used.”

The study cohort included 22 adult patients who identified as a person being treated for pain of any type, as well as 8 healthcare workers. The patients participated in focus groups that were held from December 2022 to January 2023. The focus groups centered on 3 questions: what are the perspectives of people with pain and healthcare workers regarding online eHealth resources to improve pain management equity; what resources are currently available in the community for pain management; and what barriers to pain management exist.

In response to the questions, investigators found participants were currently using or were receptive to using eHealth tools for pain management. Participants reported that identifying reliable online pain management sources was their biggest concern. Participants noted 3 things that would make them more likely to use eHealth tools for pain management: to freely access vetted information in 1 place, to find information tailored to need and pain type, and to have resources that were easy to use.

Other barriers that participants discussed included cost, availability, and a lack of health plan coverage for nonpharmacologic pain management options. Participants were also frustrated that health care providers were not always knowledgeable about potentially helpful resources. Additionally, although there are eHealth programs that have been found to be useful for pain management, investigators discovered that many of them are dated and need to be updated to be in line with current preferences and functionality.

“Improving accessibility of helpful applications and programs is critically important,” the authors concluded. “Healthcare is still in its infancy in terms of achieving all that technology can provide through advances in virtual realities, smart home sensors, and a myriad of advances in artificial intelligence in various pipelines. It will be important for researchers and clinicians to stay abreast of patient and caregiver preferences as new pain management tools are adopted into practice.”

READ MORE: Pain Management Resource Center

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References

1. Wilson M, Katz JR, Chase MD, et al. Perspectives on Online Resources for People Experiencing Pain: A Qualitative Study. Pain Manag Nurs. 2024 Aug 7:S1524-9042(24)00218-2. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2024.07.006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39117511.

2. NIH study finds high rates of persistent chronic pain among US adults. News Release. NIH. May 16, 2023. Accessed August 19, 2024. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-study-finds-high-rates-persistent-chronic-pain-among-us-adults