Implementation-effectiveness of the power over pain portal for patients awaiting a tertiary care consultation for chronic pain: A pilot feasibility study

Background: The Power Over Pain (POP) Portal is a digital platform that provides people living with pain (PLWP) flexible access to chronic pain self-management resources. Aims: To (1) determine the feasibility of an adequately-powered multisite trial of the POP Portal in tertiary settings; (2) understand the acceptability and usability of the POP Portal; and (3) explore clinical effectiveness among PLWP awaiting a first visit to a tertiary care pain clinic. Methods: Mixed-methods pilot-feasibility study to inform a future definitive trial. Feasibility was assessed using recruitment and retention rates. Acceptability, usability, and patient outcomes were measured using validated surveys completed at baseline and 3-month follow-up, and semistructured interviews conducted after 3-month follow-up. Results: Forty-one participants completed follow-up surveys and nine completed interviews. We reached a recruitment and retention rate of 83.75% and 61.19%, respectively. There was a reduction in pain interference (p = .024) and belief in a medical cure (p = .033) after using POP for 3 months. Surveys and interviews indicate PLWP were satisfied with the POP Portal, and it had good usability. Some participants indicated that POP was overwhelming, and certain resources were difficult to access, indicating that modifications could be made to improve ease of use. Conclusions: The POP Portal was deemed acceptable with good usability; however, modification may be made for improvement. A definitive trial can proceed with enhancements to the portal, modification of the protocol, and close monitoring.