‘Identifying Social Factors that Stratify Health Opportunities and Outcomes (ISSHOOs) in Pain Research’: Explanation and elaboration to support the standardised reporting of equity-relevant data

The ‘ISSHOOs (Identifying Social factors that Stratify Health Opportunities and Outcomes) in pain research’ recommendations have been developed to address the paucity and inconsistency of socio-demographic data collection and reporting in published pain research. It is timely and important that greater attention is given to further understanding the role of multi-level social and structural factors in determining pain-related experiences and outcomes. The ISSHOOs recommendations provide researchers and other key partners with practical guidance to facilitate the collection of equity-relevant data that are considered most relevant and important to people with pain. ‘ISSHOOs’ provides a data collection tool that has practical utility; is globally and cross-culturally relevant; adaptable and freely accessible. This explanation and elaboration (E&E) document is a companion to the ISSHOOs Recommendations. Here we provide a brief overview of the ISSHOOs project and its purpose, outline item-specific rationale, and offer explanations and instructions to guide appropriately tailored approaches to data collection. Widespread adoption of the ISSHOOs recommendations aims to standardise the reporting of equity-relevant, socio-demographic data in all human adult pain research, promote equity-relevant awareness, understanding and action, and ultimately reduce health inequities for people with pain.