Patient-Reported Outcome of a Multidisciplinary Pain Management Program, Focusing on Occupational Performance and Satisfaction with Performance

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim was to describe the effect of a multidisciplinary pain management program, in terms of patientreported occupational performance and satisfaction with performance. Methods: The study is a retrospective, case series study. Data from interviews documented routinely in patient medical records were used. Interviews were made at introduction, on conclusion and six months after a pain management program. Data from all participants (n=85) introduced during one year, were analysed. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used as the main outcome measure. Results: Estimated occupational performance as well as satisfaction with performance improved between measures (occupational performance p<0.001; satisfaction with performance p<0.001). The percentage of participants, who improved two or more points on the COPM ten-point scale between baseline and the 6-month follow up, was 27% for occupational performance and 40% for satisfaction with performance. Conclusion: The findings raise questions regarding what the team might learn from different ways of scrutinizing results; the relevant level of MID in this program; and the overall objective in terms of the proportion of clients who reported a ‘successful’ outcome in occupational performance and satisfaction with performance, based on the identified MID. These questions need to be further analysed and discussed within the professional team.