Chronic Pain in Pregnancy – A Patient and Public Involvement Opportunity

About the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Opportunity

We are aiming to develop guidelines on the management of chronic pain conditions during pregnancy, combining existing evidence and expert opinion from a range of healthcare professionals who specialise in pregnancy and / or chronic pain. Current evidence suggests that management of chronic pain in pregnancy is often ineffective, decreasing quality of life during pregnancy and post-partum. Guidelines are known to improve quality of care. To ensure this research addresses what is truly important to those experiencing chronic pain during pregnancy, it is essential we hear from those with lived experience to help inform study design and distribution of results (e.g. patient information resources).

The aim of the Chronic Pain in Pregnancy Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group is to increase the quality of our research to ensure the views of those it affects are taken into account and that it is relevant to the public. The PPI group will assist, support and advise researchers and act as a ‘critical friend’ on how best we can improve research strategy and projects across our research theme.

Who can take part?

We are looking for anyone who is currently pregnant or has been pregnant in the past five years with a pre-existing chronic pain condition (i.e. the chronic pain condition developed prior to you becoming pregnant).

We are specifically looking for people with chronic primary pain conditions. This includes but is not limited to complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia and chronic low back pain (which did not start during pregnancy). This list is not exhaustive; if you have a chronic pain condition please get in touch to see if you are eligible.

What will taking part involve?

You will be invited to two one-hour (in person) meetings in London (Sir Michael Uren Hub, Imperial College Campus, White City, W12 0BZ). You may also be required to complete a small amount of pre-reading prior to the second meeting.

Examples of tasks which you may be asked to do are as follows:

• Designing and commenting on research materials such as drafts, research protocols, research funding applications and questionnaires.
• Identifying and facilitating ways that patients/members of the public are involved in research e.g. developing research tools and information, gathering and reviewing documentary evidence, analysing and interpreting the results of research.
• Disseminating, i.e. providing feedback on patient information resources and lay summaries of research results.

The first group is expected to be held in February 2027 and the second in August / September 2027 (subject to confirmation).

How to take part

Please use the link below to access further information and register your interest. Please don’t hesitate to contact Imogen Pateman on ipateman@ic.ac.uk for any questions.

To find out more and participate, click here

Payment

You will be paid for your time and expenses reimbursed.

• Payment will be £27.50 for each one-hour meeting. You will also be reimbursed for one hour’s worth of pre-reading required prior to the second meeting (a total of £55 for the second session).
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed (please contact us beforehand if you anticipate this to be greater than £15).
• Childcare / carer costs will be reimbursed up to £25 each participant per meeting if applicable.
• Refreshments will be provided at each meeting.

Please note: receipts / invoices will be required for reimbursement of expenses.