Empowering Whānau Wellness Through Storytelling
He rau ringa e oti ai | Many hands make light work
We are a interdisciplinary group of researchers working to develop creative ways to help opioid tapering for people with chronic pain in Aoteraroa.
The kaupapa (purpose) of our mahi (work) is to create a whānau-focused storytelling intervention to support people with chronic non-cancer pain to gradually reduce or cease opioid use.
We are recruiting participants for interviews now
We have selected some information so you can understand the kaupapa (purpose) of our research and think about joining this collective and creative mahi (work).
We are inviting Māori adults (>16 years of age), living with chronic non-cancer pain, who are currently on opioids attempting to reduce or who have previously reduced their daily prescribed dosage in the last two years to participate in our research.
Please, note that:
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Chronic pain is defined as recurrent pain lasting for more than 3 months.
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For example, any of the following chronic pain conditions will be included: primary pain, musculoskeletal pain, posttraumatic and postsurgical pain beyond six months, neuropathic pain, headache and orofacial pain, visceral pain.
Participants and whānau will be asked to participate in a kānohi-ki-te-kānohi hui (face to face meeting). In the hui, we wish to kōrero (discuss) about motivations and challenges during the opioid tapering journey.
For participants that are currently trying to reduce opioids, we will have a few follow-ups hui over a three-month period to understand experiences, fears, successes, and day-to-day challenges.
As a first step
Later
Participants and whānau will be invited to take part in a group-based digital storytelling hui. It is entirely voluntary to attend the storytelling hui and participants can choose to take part only in the kanohi-kite-kanohi hui.
Frequently asked questions
What information will be collected from me?
We will collect some information about you (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, iwi), in addition to contact details. Both individual interview and storytelling hui will be audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim with your permission.
The results of the study will be used in reports to the funders, journal publications, conference papers, and newsletters (for example, the New Zealand Pain Society newsletter - Ngau Mamae). In all reports, every attempt will be made to not to mention your name.
Are there any disadvantages in taking part in the research?
Sharing your stories individually and in a group may be challenging and cause distress for you or your whānau.
We will ensure our pōwhiri process at the beginning of the storytelling hui and the presence of local kaumātua during the storytelling hui will provide a safe space for sharing your stories. You are most welcome to bring whānau/support people to the individual interview and storytelling hui.
Can I change my mind?
Yes.
At any stage, before, during or after the individual interview, if you wish to withdraw from the study, you can withdraw for any reason. Your participation will be withdrawn from the study and we will immediately destroy any of your personal details and your audio recordings.
This will not be possible after participating in the storytelling group hui because deleting the individual contributions made in group settings may affect the data collected as a group.
I am interested, what to do next?
If you would like to take part in this study or you know someone who could be interested, contact us!
All participants will need to sign a consent form and we encourage to talk to whānau, kaimahi, and kaiāwhina about the study before deciding to take part.
Who is funding this project?
He mea tautoko nā te Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC Ref ID#: 22/667) and has been approved by the Health and Disability Ethics Committees (HDEC 2023 EXP 16747, Ministry of Health).