Högskolan i Skövde

Background: Long-term musculoskeletal pain is a major health problem that significantly impacts quality of life among older adults. Many lack professional guidance and must learn on their own to live with pain. This calls for a holistic method that addresses older adults’ needs in their situations. The developed method has its foundation in the didactic model: “The challenge – to take control of one’s life with long-term illness.

Aim: The aim was to describe the method, Reflective STRENGTH-Giving Dialogue, and present a study design where the method is learned and used by health care providers to support older adults in learning to live their lives with long-term pain at home in a way that promotes health, well-being, meaning and strength in life.

Methods: The pilot study design consists of an educational program including continuous supervision to health care providers during the accomplishment of dialogues with community dwelling older adults. The key dimensions in Reflective STRENGTH-Giving Dialogue are:

Situation: Confront and ascertain the facticity in the current situation; Transition from “one to I” and Take charge in the situation; Reflect upon possibilities and choices; Engagement in fulfilling small and large life projects that gives joy and meaning in life; Get inner strength and courage; Tactful and challenging approach and Holistic perspective. Data will be collected through interviews and questionnaires. Qualitative and quantitative methods (NRS, BPI-SF, GDS, KASAM, MSQ) will be used for analysis. A control-group will be enrolled.

Discussion and Relevance of Study: STRENGTH can be used to secure and enhance the quality of personcentered care. The method for dialogues can be a way to holistically and individually guide and support older adults in finding ways to live a meaningful life despite pain and to fulfill their desire to remain at home as long as possible .