Professor Michael Nicholas, PhD, MPsychol(Clin), MSc(Hons), MAPS, FFPMANZCA(Hon)
Professor, Pain Management Research Institute, Northern Clinical School
Abstract and Key Points
- All healthcare practitioners can learn to support their patients in implementing these active self-management strategies and success is more likely when two or more practitioners (e.g. a GP and practice nurse) work collaboratively with their patient.
- People with chronic pain value help that promotes their independence and quality of life.
- Care for chronic pain is of low value when pain relief is the primary focus. High-value care for chronic pain includes a primary focus on improvement in functional activities, which is more likely when patients are encouraged to take an active self-management approach to their pain.
- Active self-management strategies for chronic pain should be tailored to the individual patient, but commonly include basic education about chronic pain, identifying and working towards functional goals, graded exercises, activity pacing, stress reduction techniques, problem-management skills and use of a weekly activity timetable.
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