Exploring the barriers and facilitators that influence why people access psychological treatment for chronic pain: a focus group study.

Introduction

The aim of the study is to gather information about the factors that influence treatment decisions for chronic pain, focusing on access to psychological treatment. The study carried out by Andrew Bulman and is being supervised by Dr Elena Dimova, both of Glasgow Caledonian University. The study is being carried out by Andrew Bulman as a part of an educational course for the award of DPsych (Doctorate) in Health Psychology.

Before you decide whether or not to take part, it is important for you to understand what participation in the study will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Please contact us at the address below if you would like more information.

Interested in taking part? Click here to go to the survey

Why is this study important?

This is an important study because chronic pain is a significant issue that impacts many the UK population. Furthermore, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has highlighted the lack of evidence associated with some pharmacological treatment and suggests alternative treatments to chronic pain, such as psychological therapy. However, to allow people, the opportunity to choose different treatments we need to understand what the barriers and facilitators are to seeking psychological treatment for chronic pain. It is hoped that developing this knowledge will allow greater understanding of what impacts people’s treatment choices.

What will I have to do if I take part?

If you are interested in taking part, you will be invited to give consent. Giving consent will involve reading and understanding this ‘Participant Information Sheet’ and signing and emailing a consent form to Andrew Bulman ABULMA200@caledonian.ac.uk. You will receive a copy of the signed consent form.

Once consent has been completed you will be invited to an online group discussion at a time that is convenient for you, where you will be asked several questions about your pain, and your views and experiences around treatments for it. You do not have to have to have your camera on during the group discussion.

The focus group interview is expected to take around 60-90 minutes, with adequate time for breaks (if required).

Do I have to take part?

No. You decide whether or not you want to take part. You can stop taking part in the study at any time and up to 14 days after taking part in the study, without giving a reason. If you decide to withdraw, your data will be deleted in line with GCU data policies. If, however, you decide that you no longer wish to be included in the study after the focus group, Andrew Bulman needs to be informed within 14 days of the focus group. After 14 days, data analysis will have begun and therefore participants will no longer be able to withdraw their data.

What are the possible risks with taking part?

All studies involve some level of risk and inconvenience. The main risk is possible upset when being asked personal questions about your chronic pain and treatment process.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

We can’t promise the study will help you personally. However, the results should help our understanding of the experience of chronic pain and the issues surrounding whether people can access the treatment they desire and feel would help them. This, in turn, is expected to be beneficial to people in a similar situation to you.

What happens when the study stops?

Written reports of the study findings will be available from Andrew Bulman, and a copy of the report can be requested from Andrew Bulman, when the report has been finalised.

What if there is a problem?

If you are concerned about your participation in the study and would like to speak with someone out with the study team, please contact:

What will happen to the information given during the study?

This section will explain what happens to the information you have given during the study.

The study will collect basic personal data, including name, age, gender, and email address. This data will be saved in password protected folders on the GCU network system. Following the focus group, all participants’ names will be anonymised using pseudonyms. However, the other participants within the focus group will know your name/screen name.

The only person who will have access to these details will be Andrew Bulman, who is undertaking the project. Elena Dimova, who oversees the project will only have sight of the data once anonymised, following transcription and redaction of identifying information.

The data will be analysed by Andrew Bulman and will be stored for 18 month, to allow a time for the project to be assessed.

The study complies with the Data Protection Act (2018) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The data controller is Glasgow Caledonian University. Information is being processed on the basis of Article 6(1)(e) of the General Data Protection Regulation and to perform a task carried out in the public interest.

Enquiries specifically relating to data protection should be made to the University’s Data Protection Officer (DPO). The DPO can be contacted by email: dataprotection@gcu.ac.uk. If you are unhappy with the response from the University, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO can be contacted by email: casework@ico.org.uk.

GDPR also gives study participants the right to ask for their personal data to be erased. If you would like us to stop using your personal data, then you can contact [Andrew Bulman; abulma200@caledonian.ac.uk] and ask for your personal data to be erased. However, it will only be possible to erase data that has not been anonymised and/or published. Further information about your rights can be found at: https://www.gcu.ac.uk/dataprotection/rights/

Who is organising and funding the study?

This study is being organised by Andrew Bulman and is part of a doctoral programme.

What will happen to the results of the study?

The study results will be available to a range of people including e.g. health professionals, researchers, and the public. It will not be possible to identify any individual participant from these reports or publications.

Who has reviewed the study?

All studies involving human participants carried out at Glasgow Caledonian University are reviewed by an ethics committee. The role of the ethics committee is the protect the safety, rights, wellbeing, and dignity of study participants. This study was reviewed by the School of Health and Life Sciences departmental committee and given ethical approval on 19th October 2023.

What happens next?

If you are interested in participating and would like to know more then please contact Andrew Bulman; ABULMA200@caledonian.ac.uk

How do I make contact with the study team?

Closing date: 1st December 2023