Experiences, Beliefs, and Values of Patients with Chronic Pain Who Attended a Nurse-Led Program: A Descriptive Phenomenological Qualitative Study

<b>Aim:</b> To explore the experiences, beliefs, and values of patients who participated in a two-arm randomized clinical trial assessing a nurse-led intervention program for chronic pain self-management, which demonstrated positive effects on pain reduction, depression, and anxiety, and on health-related quality of life 24 months after completion of the program. <b>Design:</b> Descriptive phenomenological qualitative study. <b>Methods:</b> Patients were recruited via telephone, informed about the study, and invited to participate in an individual interview at a place of their choice (hospital or home). All interviews were audiotaped, and an inductive thematic analysis was performed. <b>Results:</b> Seven interviews were carried out between both groups. Six emerging categories were found: effective relationship with the healthcare system, learning to live with pain, family and social support, behaviors regarding pain, resources for self-management, and concomitant determinants. <b>Conclusions:</b> Patients report key aspects that help us to understand the impact of this type of nurse-led group intervention: the intrinsic therapeutic effect of participating in the program itself, the ability to learn to live with pain, the importance of family and social support, the modification of pain-related behaviors, and the identification of resources for self-care. The findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive, individualized care approaches to chronic pain, addressing stigma and social context. Expanding community-based programs and supporting caregivers is essential, as is further research into gender roles, family dynamics, and work-related factors.