277 Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for chronic pain management: Patient and pharmacist perceptions of a community pharmacy-based program in the Rural Deep South

Abstract

Objectives/Goals: The purpose of this study was to explore pharmacists’ and patients’ attitudes, contextual barriers, organizational readiness, and preferences regarding implementation of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for chronic pain management in the community pharmacy setting in rural Alabama. Methods/Study Population: Pharmacists in independently owned community pharmacies and patients ≥18 treated for chronic pain in the past year in rural Alabama were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling. One-hour virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted by Marketry, a qualitative market research company. Interview questions were guided by the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) and focused on 1) knowledge/awareness; 2) attitudes; 3) barriers/facilitators (e.g., demand, reimbursement); 4) pharmacies’ organizational readiness (e.g., technology, personnel, and culture); and 5) program preferences (content, format) regarding a potential pharmacy-based MBSR program for chronic pain management. Interview transcripts were analyzed using deductive content analysis to identify themes. Results/Anticipated Results: A total of 60 interviews were conducted (n = 30 pharmacists, n = 30 patients). Qualitative data analysis is ongoing and is expected to be completed by December 2024. Interviewee’s responses describing knowledge, attitudes, barriers, facilitators, pharmacies’ organizational readiness, and recommended program elements will be categorized according to the CFIR domains of “inner setting,” “outer setting,” “intervention characteristics,” and “characteristics of individuals.” Domains will be summarized with over-arching themes. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Findings are expected to inform development of a community pharmacy-based MBSR program for chronic pain management. This serves as the first step in building and implementing a sustainable, accessible community pharmacy-based program offering a nonopioid alternative for pain management in the underserved rural Deep South.