Co-creating solutions: Engaging adolescents, parents, and healthcare providers in developing person-centered interventions for adolescent persistent pain (The HEYoung Intervention Study)

Background and aims:<br/>Persistent pain in adolescents is complex, prevalent, and linked to consequences such as school absenteeism and long-term health issues. Despite the urgent need for evidence-based guidelines and preventive measures, research often lacks early involvement of end-users, essential for targeted interventions. This study uses 'Future workshops' to gather insights from adolescents, healthcare providers, parents, and teachers, to inform the development of person-centered interventions for pain management. Method<br/><br/>Three future workshops with adolescents with pain (n=13), healthcare providers and teachers (n=16), and parents (n=4) were conducted during January 2023 in Oslo, Norway. Workshops employed generative methods with critique, fantasy, and implementation phases. Case vignettes and inspiration cards facilitated discussions, fostering a participatory environment translating insights into actionable intervention visions. Results were analyzed separately using reflexive thematic analysis by Brown and Clarke.<br/><br/>Results Future workshops yielded significant insights and solutions to enhance care for adolescents with persistent pain. These included more comprehensive interdisciplinary collaboration, early thorough assessments, dedicated coordination roles, pain management education, specialized adolescent-focused medical expertise, digital health solutions, school health service screening, and sustained support from school-based physiotherapists and psychologists.<br/><br/>Conclusions Phase 1 of our ongoing project, featuring Future workshops, identified key strategies for developing person-centered interventions. Phase 2 will integrate these insights with relevant literature to refine proposed interventions. Phase 3 will further enhance solutions through additional workshops. This process aims to advance care and support strategies, translating collaborative insights and visions into actionable measures for adolescents managing persistent pain.