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 inviting people to take part in the Waka Hauora study
Waka Hauora is a whānau-centred storytelling resource for people living with long-term pain, their whānau and the clinicians who support them.
Our research is evaluating how this resource can support thoughtful, culturally responsive conversations about opioid use and pain management in Aotearoa.
We are inviting adults (>16 years of age), living with chronic non-cancer pain, who are currently on opioids attempting to reduce or who are considering reducing their opioid use.
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.
If you choose to take part, you will first complete a consent form and a short survey. You will then receive access to the Waka Hauora website.
You can use the website as much or as little as you like over a three-month period. You are welcome to share the website with your whānau, friends or carers, who may also find it helpful.
Getting Started
Over the next three months,
We will invite you to complete short follow-up surveys at around 2 and 12 weeks. You may also receive text messages to support you to use the Waka Hauora website. You can stop these messages at any time by replying “STOP”.
At the end of the three-month period, we will invite you to take part in a short telephone interview. We will ask about your experience of using the website, your views about opioid medicines, and any challenges or supports you experienced when considering reducing opioid use.
Interested in taking part?
To find out more, please speak with your GP, pain specialist or participating clinician, or contact the research team at whanaustories@otago.ac.nz
The Resource
Waka Hauora is a whānau centered digital resource developed alongside people living with long-term pain. It brings together lived-experience stories, practical resources and tools to support reflection on pain, opioid medicines and other approaches to pain management.
Waka Hauora includes stories from people with lived experience, whānau and clinicians, alongside practical resources to support conversations about pain and opioid medicines.
The Study
The intervention is being implemented through participating pain services and primary-care practices. We are exploring its impact on people’s intentions and confidence to consider opioid tapering.
Participation and Referral
Participation is by referral through participating clinicians. People who are eligible can be introduced to the study during their usual appointment, and the research team then provides full study information and obtains informed consent.
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).