The relationship between mental health and chronic pain v.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The intersection of physical and mental health: understandings and experiences of mental health professionals who support service users living with chronic pain.
IRAS ID
277318
Contact name
Eppie Leishman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 12 days
Research summary
The research will provide rich qualitative data into mental health professionals’ experiences, views and understandings of supporting service users with a diagnosed mental health condition and chronic pain. For the purposes of the research, chronic pain is defined in line with World Health Organisation’s ICD-11 classification as ‘pain that persists or recurs for longer than 3 months’. Though it is recognised that chronic pain is difficult to manage, has strong links to mental health conditions and can adversely affect the therapeutic relationship between patient and healthcare professional, there has been little research into the impact of this on providing effective mental health support.
The research will take place in the community mental health services of an NHS Trust in an outer London borough. Participants will be care coordinators currently employed in the Trust (including Community Psychiatric Nurses, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists) who self identify as supporting, either currently or in the past, a service user(s) living with chronic pain. Participants will participate in one face-to-face 45-90 minute interview with the researcher, where they will answer a range of open questions about their experiences and the impact on their practice. The findings of this research will contribute to the body of literature on the intersection between mental and physical health. Additionally, it may identify strategies or procedures to help staff with supporting service users to self-manage their condition and reduce their symptoms. A lay summary and impact plan will be developed to disseminate this knowledge to the trust, so the research may contribute to improving practice. This study is undertaken as part of a Master’s degree in Social Work Practice with the University of York and Think Ahead and receives no funding.
REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A