nursingmanagement.org

Volume 11 Issue 7

Assessment of Pain Treatments in Disorders of Upper Limbs: A Qualitative Study Protocol Based on Patients’ Experiences

Weronika Maria Karcz,Eva Artigues-Barberà,Marta Ortega Bravo,Alejandra Pooler Perea,Jose María Palacín Peruga andIraida Gimeno Pi
1Bordeta Magraners Primary Care Center, Gerència Territorial Lleida, Catalan Health Institute (ICS), Carrer Boqué, s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain
2Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Gran Via Corts Catalanes, 587, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
3Research Support Unit Lleida, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Gran via de les Corts Catalanes, 587 àtic, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
4Balafia Primary Care Center, Gerència Territorial Lleida, Catalan Health Institute (ICS), Av de Rosa Parks, s/n, 25005 Lleida, Spain
5Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Carrer de Montserrat Roig, 2, 25198 Lleida, Spain
6Cappont Primary Care Center, Gerència Territorial Lleida, Catalan Health Institute (ICS), 1 d’Octubre, 1, 25001 Lleida, Spain
7Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lleida, Carrer de Montserrat Roig, 2, 25008 Lleida, Spain
8Onze de Setembre Primary Care Center, Gerència Territorial Lleida, Catalan Health Institute (ICS), Av. Onze de Setembre, Passeig de l’Onze de Setembre, 10, 25005 Lleida, Spain
 
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
 
These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is one of the most common symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and subacromial syndrome (SAS) are the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs. By collecting the opinions of patients with CTS and SAS, we aim to identify variables that could be introduced in the follow-up of CMP, and to detect barriers and facilitators of its treatments to improve their acceptance. This qualitative study is being conducted in Lleida, Spain, and explores the experiences and feelings of patients, and their acceptance of the standard of care. It follows the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) through focus groups, addressing issues with rigor and representativeness. By collecting patients’ opinions, we expect to obtain valuable information to complement the set of variables previously used by health professionals in the follow-up of CMP, and to understand treatment barriers and facilitators.
Keywords: qualitative; life experiences; nursing; upper limb; focus groups