Integrating physical and psychological care for persistent musculoskeletal pain

The primary aim of this research project is to determine the feasibility of recruitment of patients with persistent low back pain (LBP) from physiotherapy and chiropractic practices around Australia, who are willing to participate in a psychologically informed eHealth pain management program (known as the Pain Course), in addition to usual care from their musculoskeletal (MSK) clinician. Australian based registered MSK clinicians in private practice will be recruited into the study. MSK clinicians will identify and invite eligible patients with persistent LBP to enrol in the Pain Course in addition to providing their usual care. The type, frequency, and duration of MSK care will be recorded. Participants will engage with the Pain Course in parallel with seeing the MSK clinician. The free, publicly available course comprises 5 core modules, plus additional resources, which are delivered over 8 weeks, with optional phone, email, and private messaging support from a qualified mental health professional (e.g., psychologist, nurse, counsellor). The lessons provide essential information and teach practical self-management skills to help you do the following: Understand chronic pain and how it differs from acute pain Recognise the cycle of symptoms involved in pain, anxiety and depression Break the cycle of symptoms Recognise and challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs Recognise and manage physical symptoms of pain, anxiety and depression Manage levels of day-to-day physical activity safely and confidently, despite pain Continue to manage your pain and emotional wellbeing once the course has finished The course can be accessed from the comfort of a person’s home, without the need to attend a physical clinic, using any internet-connected device via email. Adherence to the course is regularly monitored through individual completion of the modules and access to the secure site. Modules are self-paced and time to complete can vary depending on the participant. For a detail description of the course please visit (https://www.mindspot.org.au/treatment/our-courses/pain-course/). Patients are then followed up 4 months after recruitment and asked to complete a questionnaire regarding pain, psychological function and treatment satisfaction with the Pain Course, in addition to their usual MSK care. Usual MSK care may encompasses manual therapy, exercise therapy, and/or soft tissue therapy. In addition to the above, MSK clinicians and eligible patients who have enrolled in the study will be sent an email with a separate Participant Information and Consent Form (PCIF) outlining an interview sub-study. Interested participants will reply to the email and be contacted shortly afterwards to arrange a one-on-one semi-structured interview lasting approximately 30 minutes, via Zoom or Teams. The purpose-designed interview guide asks participants about their views and experiences about the addition of the Pain Course and usual care from MSK clinicians. The research team will conduct the interviews.