Abstract
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition, which can have a profound effect on a person’s functioning. There are few studies, to date, that have explored individuals’ experiences of chronic pain programmes, with research tending to employ quantitative methods. This qualitative study attempts to explore the experiences of participants in an outpatient pain management programme. Nine participants for the study were recruited from an outpatient group pain management programme. The study focussed on aspects of the course participants found helpful, ways in which they managed their current pain condition and changes they had noticed since completing the course. Interview transcripts were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Three main themes emerged from the analysis: Experiencing the chronic pain (self), sharing the experiences of chronic pain (group interaction) and living with pain (the health system). The dynamic nature of self and how self was transformed through interactions within the group social context was highlighted in the results. Acceptance of participants’ pain condition and the struggles they experienced with this was a common feature in their accounts. The role of social comparison, social support and revision of personal standards were also key aspects of participants’ experiences. Methodological issues, clinical implications and directions for future research are also considered.