Qualitative Study for Pain Measurement Using Innovative Health Technology

Qualitative Study for Pain Measurement Using Innovative Health Technology (QualiPain)

The present study is a multicenter, explorative, qualitative study. The primary endpoint of this study is to evaluate to which extent the collection of data with regard to pain caused by illness or treatment can be optimized using health technology solutions. For this evaluation semi-structured qualitative interviews with 8-10 patients will be conducted.

Secondary variables are the evaluation of the patients' pain experience and the general patients' willingness to collect data with regard to pain by using technological devices themselves or with support of healthcare professionals.

The present multicenter study is an explorative, qualitative study. It shall be evaluated from the patients' point of view if and how the collection of data with regard to pain, caused by illness or treatment, can be optimized using health technology solutions. A health technology solution could for example be an app for registering the intensity and localization of pain. The aim of this study is to examine, if such a solution would be accepted by patients with acute or chronic pain and how a fitting solution should be designed to meet the patients' requirements. Existing methods for pain measurement as well as possibilities for the development of new methods will be examined and evaluated during the interviews.

To arguable this issue the interviews comprise different topics like:

• the patients pain experience in everyday life, e.g. how the patients cope with pain in everyday life and how and if this is documented;
• experiences with and the thought of regular pain recording;
• an evaluation if patients tend to be willing to record their pain using technological devices by themselves or rather with support of healthcare professionals.

It is the aim to use the results of this study for the development of a new and improved version of pain registration. The results of the study will be summarized in a report and handed over to a startup company. Thereupon the startup company has the possibility to develop a technological solution that represents the patients' need at its best.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years or older
• Pain intensity > 4 (numeric ranking scale 0-10)
• Legal capacity
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lack of willingness to cooperate
• Lack of consent
• Lack of ability to follow instructions
• younger than 18 years