Assessment of adults experiencing chronic non-cancer pain: a randomized trial of group versus individual format at an Australian tertiary pain service

Objective: To compare the outcomes of a new group assessment format with conventional individual assessment. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Setting: An Australian tertiary hospital multidisciplinary pain service. Patients: Adults referred with chronic non-cancer pain. Methods: Following attendance at an education and orientation group, 211 participants were randomized to either a group assessment format (focused on supported self-assessment) or individual assessment. Follow-up occurred 3 months post-assessment and prior to subsequent pain service intervention. Outcome measures were pain intensity, pain interference, self-efficacy, psychological distress, health care utilization beyond the pain service, waiting time, participant satisfaction, and implementation of self-management strategies. Results: Seventy-two participants undertook group assessment and 90 were assessed individually. Follow-up data were collected on 57 group and 72 individual assessment participants. Results revealed no significant differences between the two assessment formats in outcome with the exception of wait-times. Median wait-time to the first offer of assessment was 47 days for the group format and 144 days for individual. Conclusions: Group assessment provides a viable alternative to conventional individual assessment. The group assessment reduced wait-times while delivering otherwise comparable outcomes.