Co-Designing a Consumer-Centred Educational Resource to Assist Australian Farmers with the Management of Persistent Pain

Persistent pain is a major health issue that interferes with farmers’ ability to work more commonly than for the general working population. Farmers also like to self-manage pain but evidence-based pain management educational resources that are relevant to their way of life are limited. This study utilised a participatory co-design approach with farmers, pain clinicians and pain researchers to develop a tailored persistent pain management education resource for farmers. Key, transferable learnings include: the value of information provision in both printed and digital formats, the use of straightforward language, farmer-themed metaphors, imagery, humour and case studies/quotes, as well as reflection and goal-setting activities that focus on function. Co-designers highlighted the importance of materials being easily accessible, sharable and distributed by those who can demonstrate an understanding of farming, to reassure farmers of the resources’ relevance. Including information that is applicable across farmers’ typical pain journeys (pain onset, frustration and resignation stages as described in the paper) is another important consideration. Findings have informed the development of a pain management education resource that was considered relevant, relatable and accessible by co-designers. Lessons are applicable to the development of future health-related educational resources for this unique and at-risk group.