Eliciting the Patient Experience: Qualitative Interviews with Latina Patients with Chronic Pain to Improve Care

Abstract

Grace L Chen, Barbara R Gottlieb

Chronic pain is an increasingly common diagnosis in primary care and social determinants seen in community health center patients, as well as Latina women, strongly influence outcomes. As part of an internal quality improvement project, we interviewed patients with chronic pain (N=17) at an urban community health center. Interview themes point to the prevalence of psychosocial comorbidities and the all-consuming physical and emotional nature of chronic pain. Patients expressed interest in non-pharmacologic, mind-body approaches to pain treatment as well as support groups and health coaching. Based on patients’ experiences and feedback, we are designing a pilot group visit intervention.

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