Chronic Pain HIT launches guide to help people reduce pain medication

A new support guide to help people reduce pain medication effectively and safely has been co-created by clinicians and public partners in our Chronic Pain Health Integration Team (HIT).

The HIT launched the guide at a special event on 7 October  in Weston-super-mare, an area where more than 10,000 people are affected by chronic pain.

Your Personal Support Guide To Reducing Your Pain Medication is now available on REMEDY, the GP Referral Support Tool which provides quick and easy access to clinical pathways and guidelines for GPs across our region.

The support guide will help patients clarify their motivation for reducing pain medication and prepare them well for success, ensuring they are able to manage possible side effects alongside everyday life.

A clinician/supporter manual Supporting People to Reduce Pain Medication has also been created, which explains how to support people in using the guide.

Bristol Health Partners would like to thank Ian Taverner and Dr Jeremy Gauntlett-Gilbert who developed the guide and supporter manual.

Ian said:

“We were really keen to make sure that the guide was in language that everyone could understand and relate to, which came through loud and clear when we were looking at early drafts with a group of people living with chronic pain. We have also majored on the emotional, motivational and decision making side of this, which is massive and incredibly important, not just at outset, but throughout.

“Living with chronic pain myself I know just how hard this is and how much toll it takes, so recognising it, understanding it and providing ways to support through it are a vital part of the guide’s content and thought process.”

Jeremy said:

“We wanted to design something that would help people to prepare to reduce painkillers, and then succeed in getting through tough moments. We thought hard about which evidence-based psychological principles would help people to strengthen their motivations and then deal with tough times. Then the workbooks were transformed by multiple rounds of feedback from people with pain and relevant professionals.

“The final result is practical, friendly and has beautiful illustrations – we’re delighted, and look forward to hearing feedback from users.”

Patients, clinicians and supporters are encouraged to use the QR codes in the manuals to share any feedback directly with the authors.