Heartbeat: Pain management patient group explores how to thrive at work
July 29, 2019
As we all know, caring for patients does not stop with a surgery or a course of medication. A number of long term conditions including pain, require considerable ongoing support from health services as people adjust to the life changing impact such a diagnosis may present. Pain also has the potential to affect numerous aspects of people’s lives.
Thankfully our organisation provides a number of services to help people accept and learn to live with long term pain conditions. This includes a new patient group that has been set up with the help of the SWBH Trust charity. The Pain Management Support Group run by Advanced Physiotherapist, Paul Rees. Paul, who specialises in musculoskeletal physiotherapy (MSK) and pain management welcomes patients to the sessions which take place at West Bromwich Leisure Centre and facilitates the development of self-management strategies in order to reclaim some of their freedom in ways they may not have conceived.
His most recent session focussed on the value of vocational rehabilitation. During the session the group participated in discussions about the benefits to this, potential and existing issues that can affect the process for someone who has a life altering pain condition and what support is available in order to help find work.
“We’ve put together a session to support people with long-term persistent pain on returning to work. Vocational rehab is an integral part of their journey with living in pain. We understand that one of the really important components of self-management, and particular with long-term pain, is engaging in meaningful activities.
Work represents a really good opportunity on a number of levels in terms of emotional wellbeing and physical conditioning. Factors which are really important to help someone learn to live with long-term and persistent pain.”
This session also featured multiple guests, including Jonathan Maddison from the volunteers team who gave a presentation about the number of volunteer roles that our organisation utilises and how the opportunities provided could work well with those only able to do certain hours.
“I was delighted by the interest the group showed in not only what the volunteers team does but the opportunities it presents, a number of those attending expressed interest in joining the team in some degree citing the flexibility we offer. We’ll definitely be following up with them.”
Jonathan was joined by Simon Woods and Tracy Elsdon, representatives from the organisation Prospects, who were there to promote the health-led trial Thrive Into Work. The trial is a new type of employment support for people with disabilities or health problem who would like to consider going back into work.
“Going back into work is proven to benefit both mental and physical wellbeing and we’ve been discussing with patients ways that can work with them and their conditions.” Explains Tracy, “Thrive Into Work health-led trial currently in Europe, hopefully we will be able to prove that individual placement and support is effective in a primary care setting we will be able to roll out across the country to benefit patients everywhere.”
Paul adds “From here, this group is part of a wider project supporting people with long term persistent pain. Our role is acting as facilitators to achieving longer-term self-management of their condition. Hopefully we’ll be able to help the group feel more comfortable, get comfort acquainted with dealing with their condition and alleviate some of the frustration that can be generated by their conditions.”