According to a Gallup Survey (1999), nine in ten Americans suffer from regular pain. Despite the millions of Americans affected, fewer than half (43%) report they have a "great deal of control" over the pain and feel it is an inevitable part of life. This pain can result in many activity limitations and reduced quality of life. Speaking of Pain is a one-hour workshop designed to educate and empower people to help gain control of their pain by better communicating with their healthcare providers. Developed and delivered through a coalition with the Business and Professional Women's group, the National Council on Negro Women, the General Federation of Women's Clubs, MANA (a National Latina Organization), and the American Society on Aging, this program featured a communications campaign and grass roots education package targeted to women of diverse backgrounds. Representatives of the organizations that serve minority populations provided input into all aspects of the program design and delivery to ensure cultural relevance. To examine the effects of the program as a tool for creating awareness, the evaluation included pre-/post- assessments from a sample of 1,000 participants. The study assessed program satisfaction; self-efficacy to talk with a physician about pain; self-efficacy to manage pain; and likelihood to contact their physician about their pain. This presentation will discuss the development and implementation of the program, with a focus on the collaborative efforts of the partnering organizations. We will also describe the outcomes from the evaluation and discuss recommendations for future partnerships.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant should be able to: 1) describe the Speaking of Pain program, 2)discuss the benefits and outcomes of the program, and 3) summarize the recommendations for future implementation and evaluation.
Keywords: Partnerships, Self-Management
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Arthritis Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment