COVID-19 and Its Effects on Chronic Pain Patients

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage. Many factors can affect pain and its severity. This study aims to explore how the COVID-19 affects chronic pain patients in terms of pain in general, intensity of pain, desire for pain treatment including follow up visits and pain medication refills as well as sleep.

Research question What are the effects of the COVID-19 on chronic pain patients in terms of pain and pain management? Conceptual framework The COVID-19 is a novel emerging infectious disease which has unimaginable and unbelievable large scale distressing effects worldwide. Up to date, there is no study which aims to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 on chronic pain patients in terms of pain and pain management. The previous survey in patients focused on the worrisome of them for getting this infection and their confidence in their government to control the COVID-19 situation in the US. Materials and methods This study is an in-depth interview. The in-depth interview is the principal method to collect qualitative data by setting up open-ended questions beforehand. Patients who are interviewed, can express their attitudes freely. This method is flexible which words, sentences and questions can be adjusted to suit each interviewee (participant). The process consists of active and intentional listening as well as ask on an in-depth basis. All conversations during the in-depth interview are tape-recorded.