Experience and usability of a website containing research-based knowledge and tools for pain self-management: a mixed-method study in people with high-impact chronic pain

Eva Laerkner; Laila Bendix; Madalina Jäger; Maj-Britt Hansen; Henrik Bjarke Vaegter

doi:10.1515/sjpain-2023-0044

Experience and usability of a website containing research-based knowledge and tools for pain self-management: a mixed-method study in people with high-impact chronic pain

Scand J Pain. 2023 Sep 11;23(4):646-655. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2023-0044. Print 2023 Oct 26.

Authors

Eva Laerkner^{1

2}, Laila Bendix³, Madalina Jäger^{4

5}, Maj-Britt Hansen⁶, Henrik Bjarke Vaegter^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
² Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
³ Pain Research Group, Pain Center, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
⁴ Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
⁵ Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Næstved-Slagelse-Ringsted Hospitals, Slagelse, Denmark.
⁶ Patient and Relative Panel, Pain Center, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.

PMID: 37681360
DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2023-0044

Abstract

Objectives: Smerteinfo.dk is a freely accessible Danish website containing research-based, up-to-date knowledge on chronic pain, written in lay language, with a focus on information, guidance and self-management tools, developed in collaboration between health professionals and persons with high-impact chronic pain. This mixed-method study explored experiences, perceived usability, and challenges of Smerteinfo among patients with high-impact chronic pain.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews enabling thinking-aloud and participant observation while using Smerteinfo were performed in 11 patients with high-impact chronic pain. Survey data were collected three months after being invited to use Smerteinfo among 200 patients on waiting-list at a Pain Center in Denmark.

Results: Three themes captured the depth and variation in patterns of experiences, usability and challenges using Smerteinfo during interviews: 1) Appreciated easy access to new knowledge yet strived for more personalized information, 2) Experienced incentives as well as challenges when navigating the website, and 3) Suggested earlier introduction to the website. Challenges concerned the unknown update frequency of the website, information consisting of mostly text and many links, lack of material to improve self-management and too general information. Survey data revealed that 87 % found the language in the articles easy to understand and 73 % could recognize themselves and their challenges in the articles. A proportion of the respondents reported improved understanding of their pain condition (56 %), improved coping (33 %), and that they had made changes in their everyday life after reading on the website (33 %).

Conclusions: Patients with high-impact chronic pain found Smerteinfo valuable. The results suggest attention towards spreading knowledge of the website to general practitioners, who could introduce the site at an earlier stage of illness. Continuously improving the site and expand the applicable tools based on scientific evidence and in collaboration with end-users are crucial to ensure the usability of the website in the future.

Keywords: Smerteinfo; chronic pain; pain science education; self-management.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Chronic Pain* / therapy
Humans
Internet*
Self-Management*