A pain workshop: an approach to eliciting the views of young people with chronic pain

Chronic pain is complex and there is still much to discover about the burden that it places on children and their families. The aim of this study was to explore the way in which the experience of chronic pain impacts on the lives of young people. Through the use of a pain workshop that involved a series of guided activities and a focus group, young people were able to share their experiences with each other and the facilitators/researchers. Data were analysed using a theoretical coding technique supported by Atlas.ti. Five key interlinked themes emerged from the data and each theme is expressed in the words of the young people themselves: 'no one's pain's the same', 'getting on with it', 'it's hard 'cos...', 'keeping with the dream', and 'it depends ... some are OK'. The young people did experience significant disruption in their lives as a result of their pain. Pain was experienced as if it was both a separate entity as well as an intrinsic part of them and, to a degree, blighted their future. Based on the experiences shared by the young people, professionals need to develop insight and strategies into the challenges young people with chronic pain face on a daily basis.