Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage. Many factors can affect pain and its severity.

This study aims to explore how the COVID-19 affects chronic pain patients in terms of pain in general, intensity of pain, desire for pain treatment including follow up visits and pain medication refills as well as sleep.

Research question

What are the effects of the COVID-19 on chronic pain patients in terms of pain and pain management?

Conceptual framework

The COVID-19 is a novel emerging infectious disease which has unimaginable and unbelievable large scale distressing effects worldwide.

Up to date, there is no study which aims to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 on chronic pain patients in terms of pain and pain management. The previous survey in patients focused on the worrisome of them for getting this infection and their confidence in their government to control the COVID-19 situation in the US.

Materials and methods

This study is an in-depth interview. The in-depth interview is the principal method to collect qualitative data by setting up open-ended questions beforehand. Patients who are interviewed, can express their attitudes freely. This method is flexible which words, sentences and questions can be adjusted to suit each interviewee (participant). The process consists of active and intentional listening as well as ask on an in-depth basis. All conversations during the in-depth interview are tape-recorded.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with chronic pain who have been under the health care service of the pain clinic of Songklanagarind hospital.
• Chronic pain patients are patients with persistent pain for at least 3 months. Pain can be from any etiologies.
• The expected number of interviwees for this in-depth interview is 30 or until the gathered interview data are saturated.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are not willing to participate this study and have time for an in person 'in-depth interview'.
• Patients who are not influence in Thai language.
• Patients who are physically or mentally too ill to participate this study.

Patients aged 18 years and older who have chronic pain for at least 3 months' duration.

IPD will be shared upon request.