Patients’ perceptions of a multidisciplinary pain management programme in relation to trauma-informed practice principles: a narrative-based qualitative service evaluation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59210/2wwxdk62Keywords:
Trauma-informed practice, chronic pain , acceptance and commitment therapyAbstract
Background: There is growing recognition of the importance of trauma-informed practice in pain care. However, the extent to which current delivery of a multidisciplinary pain management programme (PMP) based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) aligns with principles of trauma-informed practice has not been evaluated. Therefore, the aims of this service evaluation were to gain an in-depth understanding of patients’ experiences of a routinely delivered ACT-based PMP in relation to principles of trauma-informed practice and use these findings to direct improvements for our service.
Methods: This service evaluation used a qualitative methodology with individual patient interviews (n=10). All patients were completing an intensive ACT-based PMP in the service. Reflexive thematic analysis was combined with a narrative analysis approach to make sense of the data.
Results: A superordinate theme was generated from the data, reflecting that trauma-informed practice is an evolving and continuous process over time. This superordinate theme was woven through the three other main themes: 1) Forming, expanding, and dissolving the “bubble”; 2) Balancing risks of distress with opportunities to engage, learn, and transform; and 3) Transformative self-narratives: hindrance to agency.
Discussion: This service evaluation highlights areas of good practice with respect to trauma-informed principles within the delivery of a multidisciplinary PMP. The service evaluation findings have shaped further developments in training and clinical practice within our service. Ongoing reflexivity and meaningful engagement with diverse patient partners have been essential to continue to optimize the delivery of trauma-informed pain care.
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Data Availability Statement
Participants did not consent to the sharing of their full interview transcripts beyond the team involved in the service evaluation and, therefore, transcripts cannot be shared.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Clair Jacobs, Madeleine Anderson, Panayiota Chrysostomou, Kezia Kadri, Camille Leteurtre, Patrycja Jakubiec, Whitney Scott (Author)
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