ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Mutual help among patients and distant support tools - such as phone calls and online discussions - are promising strategies to manage chronic conditions, however still poorly explored in the context of pain. This study aimed at evaluating two different remote guidance methods able to help chronic patients: (I) phone calls and (II) engagement in online discussion groups for patients.
CASE REPORT:
To evaluate these two assistance models, a qualitative research model was used. Investigations have started as from practical needs of a Support Group for chronic pain patients in São Paulo. To evaluate approach (I), 15 semi-structured interviews were carried out with specialists working with telephone guidance. For approach (II), the ethnographic method was used where a Facebook fibromyalgia discussion group was followed up for three months.
CONCLUSION:
Both studied initiatives have positive results but still lack well structured and uniform protocols. Interviews have shown that distant support practices for chronic patients could be expanded for a larger number of diseases.
Keywords:
Chronic pain; Self-help group; Social network; Social support; Telemedicine