"The acceptance" of living with chronic pain – an ongoing process: A qualitative study of patient experiences of multimodal rehabilitation in primary care

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore patient experiences of participating in multimodal pain rehabilitation in primary care. SUBJECTS: Twelve former patients (7 women and 5 men) in multimodal rehabilitation in primary care were interviewed about their experiences of multimodal rehabilitation. METHODS: The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Analysis resulted in 4 categories: (i) from discredited towards obtaining redress; (ii) from uncertainty towards knowledge; (iii) from loneliness towards togetherness; and (iv) "acceptance of pain": an ongoing process. The results show that having obtained redress, to obtain knowledge about chronic pain, and to experience fellowship with others with the same condition were helpful in the acceptance process. However, there were patients who found it difficult to reconcile themselves with a life with chronic pain after multimodal rehabilitation. To find what was "wrong" and to have a medical diagnosis and cure were important. CONCLUSION: Patients in primary care multimodal rehabilitation experience a complex, ongoing process of accepting chronic pain. Four important categories were described. These findings will help others to understand the experience and perspective of patients with chronic pain who engage in multimodal rehabilitation.