Exploring the language of chronic pain stories through a Facebook page. A qualitative study on narratives and unmet needs.

Background: Dimensione Sollievo (Dimension of Relief) and its Facebook page represent a patient-centered social media initiative focused on chronic pain. This platform provides users with accurate resources on chronic pain and offers a virtual space for peer interaction - a crucial aspect for a condition often lacking proper recognition. The study's primary objective was to analyze the content in relation to unmet needs, with a secondary objective to explore the role of narrative medicine (NM) in this form of social communication.

Methods: Posts, replies, and comments from the Facebook page between 2020 and 2023 were analyzed using thematic frameworks such as Frank, Kleinmann, Launer classifications, and Berne's transactional analysis. Language styles, semantics, word frequency, and metaphors were also examined. Narratives were analyzed through Nvivo software and Microsoft Office tools.

Results: Users embraced the Facebook page as a safe space for interaction, where they found understanding and connection, unlike their experiences outside the community. While interactions were generally brief, they intensified around issues where users perceived injustices, such as the lack of recognition of their condition by medical professionals and family, and challenges in accessing benefits. Thematic analysis revealed that the most prominent theme was the dimension of disease, with many narratives expressing difficulty coping and a lack of progress.

Conclusions: The application of narrative medicine (NM) tools highlights both explicit and unconscious patient needs, such as the desire to be heard and acknowledged. This study is the first to explore NM's potential in chronic pain. Implementing NM tools through informed moderation could transform pain management culture, improving treatment approaches and enhancing the overall community experience.