Chronic pain management in older people: A qualitative Study

With respect to complex management of chronic pain in the elderly, identifying chronic pain management process is great importance. Hence, the current study aimed to identifying the chronic pain management process and its facilitator in the elderly. This qualitative study was conducted with grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews and participants’ observations were the main methods for data collections, in which 30 elderly people with chronic pain, 3 relatives and 29 health care providers were selected purposive and theoretical.. Data analysis was performed concurrently with data gathering based on Strauss and Corbin’s proposed method. Data rigor was confirmed by Lincoln and Gubba’s approach. One of the motivating factors for dealing with chronic pain in the elderly was “loving life”.So that, most of elderly participants in this study believed that since they are loving life, thus trying to relieve the pain. Loving life category as a facilitator for chronic pain management process in the elderly determined, which consists of “self-preservation” and "trying for life”. Attention to the elderly, their relatives and health care provider’s viewpoints may be useful for effective chronic pain management. In addition, “loving life” which has a facilitating role in chronic pain management, can be used for designing a comprehensive caring plan in older people.