Group-based Integrative Pain Management: A Multi-level Approach to Address Intersectional Stigma and Social Isolation in Diverse Primary Care Safety Net Patients With Chronic Pain, San Francisco, 2023

Socioeconomically disadvantaged populations have a high prevalence of chronic pain, exacerbated by social isolation, intersectional stigma, and disparities in pain assessment and treatment options. Effective interventions using a multilevel, biopsychosocial approach are needed to decrease the unequal burden of pain. This pilot study tests group-based integrative models of pain management in primary care safety net clinics to improve pain care for racially and ethnically diverse low-income patients.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of key study design features for a randomized clinical trial of group-based integrative pain management in primary care safety clinics. Parameters of interest are feasibility of randomization and retention of participants, and intervention fidelity and adherence. A secondary objective of the study is to evaluate assessment procedures in preparation for a larger scale 2x2 factorial trial of group acupuncture and integrative group medical visits.