ABSTRACT

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a highly prevalent disabling condition among older adults, and treatment remains a challenge. Limited research has qualitatively examined late-life CLBP and its management. Study objective was to examine how older adults experience pain management approaches for CLBP. Guided by van Manen’s phenomenological method, 21 pain clinic patients (66–83) completed semi-structured interviews. Under the main theme “Managing the incurable,” four subthemes emerged: (a) A quest for relief; (b) Spinal procedures offer temporary relief yet ongoing disappointment; (c) The apprehension of medication (d) Making things work for me. Social work practice implications are discussed.

摘要

慢性腰痛 (CLBP) 是老年人中非常普遍的致残疾病，治疗仍然是一个挑战。有限的研究对晚年 CLBP 及其管理进行了定性研究。研究目的是检查老年人如何体验 CLBP 的疼痛管理方法。在 van Manen 的现象学方法的指导下，21 名疼痛门诊患者 (66-83) 完成了半结构化访谈。在“管理不治之症”的主题下，出现了四个分主题： (a) 寻求救济；(b) 脊柱手术提供了暂时的缓解，但仍然令人失望；(c) 对药物的担忧 (d) 让事情对我有用。讨论了社会工作实践的影响。