Group consultations for chronic pain

Group consultations are a way to bring together individuals for support with long-term conditions, helping them to better manage their own health and share their experiences and learning.

Peer support interventions should be considered as part of the holistic and individualised management for people with chronic pain⁴¹.

While a traditional medical consultation is approximately 10 minutes, group consultations can run for around 90 minutes and allow up to 12 participants to spend more time with their healthcare team – and each other. The sessions are generally led by a facilitator, who could be any member of the practice team, with medical or therapeutic input from the appropriate clinicians or allied health professionals.

They foster a sense of community between the individual and their care team, allowing everyone to learn from each other in a safe and secure setting.

Why would group consultations be suitable for chronic pain?

Short consultations often lead to short term solutions such as firefighting, ineffective medications and inappropriate polypharmacy.
Group consultations allow more time with individuals which can create the space to:
- Validate their experience
- Give people time to feel heard
- Participants share their experiences and feel less alone
Deliver pain neuroscience education
Group consultations consider the whole person including non-pharmacological options.
Allocate time to share techniques that can improve their experience of pain including breathing techniques, mindfulness and safe movement.

Summary of recommendations: Non-pharmacological approaches to manage pain

Good practice point

Explore people’s preferences and choices for self-management, due to the importance of this in managing chronic pain

Good practice point

Clinicians should offer non-pharmacological resources and services to develop a personalised plan, which may include pharmacological management

Strong recommendation

Physical activity should be advised as a recommended treatment for people living with chronic pain

Strong recommendation

The following approaches should be used to improve adherence to activity and exercise interventions:

supervised exercise sessions
individualised exercises in group sessions
addition of supplementary material
provision of a combined group and home exercise programme

Good practice point

Consider CBT for insomnia as an effective management strategy³⁶

Good practice point

Consider providing sleep hygiene advice and reminding individuals that changes in sleep habits can take time to develop

Good practice point

Support person-centred goals in management of chronic pain which are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timed (SMART)

Good practice point

Consider providing advice for healthy eating and hydration³⁹

Strong recommendation

Psychological therapies (cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) should be considered for adults experiencing chronic pain, depending on individual preference.²⁹ These should be delivered by appropriately trained professionals³⁰

Strong recommendation

Consider offering Mindfulness based approaches to manage pain for individuals who express a preference for this³²

Strong recommendation

Peer support interventions should be considered as part of the holistic and individualised management for people with chronic pain⁴¹

Good practice point

Consider utilising local social prescribing and community resources to develop social networks and connections