Development of an intervention aimed at the prevention and treatment of chronic pain in breast cancer survivors: An intervention mapping approach

Objective: Pain is prevalent among breast cancer survivors and can persist for years, impeding quality of life. Both prevention and pain treatment are important. However, this requires an interdisciplinary approach and complex models of care. We report on the design and implementation of an intervention that follows a step-wise care model, aimed at timely and adequate pain follow-up among breast cancer survivors. Methods: We used intervention mapping to guide our planning process. The intervention was developed in co-design with relevant stakeholders, such as breast cancer survivors and healthcare providers. Results: An e-learning training was developed aimed at changing healthcare providers' knowledge, beliefs, and interprofessional behaviour regarding pain follow-up. Second, guides were produced to empower patients in talking about pain and stimulate referral to other disciplines. Conclusion: To achieve change in pain follow-up, multiple levels should be addressed. Additionally, the implementation and adoption of an intervention opposes challenges. Intervention mapping can serve as a theory-based and data-driven approach for decision-making during planning. Practice implications: This study can inform others about how to prepare for the development and implementation of an intervention. The developed intervention can also be adapted according to the target population and context, and used for other cancer populations.