Co-Designing a Volunteer-Delivered Behavioural Activation Intervention for Older Adults Living with Chronic Pain in Regional and Rural Australia: A Protocol for a Concept Mapping Study

Background/Objectives: Chronic non-cancer pain is a complex and highly prevalent condition that can cause significant physical, psychological, and social burdens on individuals and families, while placing increasing strain on health systems. This study aims to map and compare the perspectives of key stakeholders on the barriers, facilitators, and practical considerations relevant to the potential future development of a volunteer-delivered Behavioural Activation model of care for older adults living with chronic non-cancer pain in regional communities. Methods: Using Trochim’s structured concept mapping methodology, this mixed-methods, participatory study engages participants from three stakeholder groups: older adults with lived experience of chronic non-cancer pain, community (lay) volunteers and health professionals. Approximately 20–30 participants will be recruited, with around 7–10 participants from each stakeholder group, using community and professional networks, local referrals, and social media. Recruitment will remain flexible to support balanced representation across groups. Concept mapping will be used to compare perspectives on barriers, facilitators and implementation considerations relevant to a future volunteer-delivered model of care. The methodology comprises six stages: preparation, generation of statements, structuring of statements, representation, interpretation and utilisation. Conclusions and Expected Results: By exploring stakeholder perspectives, this study will identify priorities, barriers, facilitators and implementation considerations for community volunteer involvement in low-intensity psychosocial support. Findings may inform the development of future volunteer-delivered models and subsequent intervention and implementation studies, including structured training pathways and potential micro-credentialing for community volunteers in regional and rural settings. This study was retrospectively registered with the Open Science Framework Registries on 30 June 2026, following commencement of data collection for the brainstorming phase but prior to completion of the subsequent sorting, rating, representation and interpretation phases and prior to formal data analysis.