Experts to give advice and guidance on managing pain among older adults

Older adults living with chronic pain, as well as their families and carers, have the opportunity to give their views to health experts at the University of Greenwich.

A series of focus groups will be taking place at the university's Avery Hill and Medway campuses, where people can offer their opinions on a range of self-help materials designed to give older adults advice and guidance on managing their pain. By reviewing these materials and giving opinions on how useful they are, participants will be helping university researchers to further investigate the subject.

Volunteers are welcome from all backgrounds and ages. Those attending do not need to have specialist knowledge of health issues, but will have a broad interest in the subject of chronic pain and, in particular, how it affects the over-65 age group.

Chronic pain is an unexplained pain that lasts longer than three months and is difficult to treat. It may include back pain, muscle spasms, arthritis or any persistent ache and pain in the body.

Those taking part may also be asked to sit on advisory groups for a range of projects, such as drawing up health questionnaires or patients' consent forms. In addition, researchers may present their ideas for comments and advice.

Meetings will be held at the Avery Hill Campus, in south-east London, and at the Medway Campus, in Chatham Maritime. Tea and coffee are provided, travel expenses will be met and volunteers are welcome to take part in one or more sessions.

Dr Rachael Docking from the university's School of Health & Social Care, is organising the events. She says: "The discussions will be relaxed, informal affairs, where everyone will be made to feel comfortable when talking about the issues that affect them most. It is a great chance for members of the public to tell us their views and experiences of managing, and living with, chronic pain.

"Such first-hand accounts are invaluable and often give us, as researchers, a fresh perspective on what we should be looking at and thinking about." 

Joining the discussions will be the university's Professor Pat Schofield, a nationally recognised expert on the subject of pain management.