- Design
- Qualitative study nested in a randomised trial
- Population
- 26 primary care patients with chronic pain in group medical visits
- Primary outcome
- Types of social support experienced
- Effect
- Emotional, appraisal, informational and practical support all identified
A qualitative study in the Annals of Family Medicine (21 September 2026), nested in a randomised trial, observed 16 group medical visits and interviewed patients in two cohorts randomised to a 12-week programme combining clinical care, pain education, mindfulness, movement and facilitated discussion. The 26 patients were mostly low-income, and reported a mean pain score of 7.7 out of 10.
Patients described emotional support that countered isolation and stigma, appraisal support that normalised struggles, informational support from peers as well as clinicians, and practical help. These arose both from the programme's structure and from peers.
This is qualitative work in 26 people and says nothing about pain scores or function; the trial's outcome results are reported separately. What it offers a family physician is a description of what a group can provide that a ten-minute consultation cannot.
- Consider group-based programmes for patients with chronic pain who are isolated or stigmatised
- Combine education, movement and discussion rather than education alone
- Use peer experience deliberately — patients valued learning from each other
- Ask about social isolation as part of a chronic pain review
Why it matters
It explains how group visits might work, which matters for anyone setting one up in primary care.
Don't overread it
This is qualitative data from 26 patients; it does not show that group visits reduce pain.
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