Communication and Treatment Planning among Older Adults with Chronic Non-Cancer Pain
Investigators: Corinna Loeckenhoff, PhD- Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development, Cornell University; Catherine Riffin,BA, MA- Doctoral Candidate, Department of Human Development, Cornell University
The purpose of this study is to gather information from older adults who experience pain due to arthritis and other related non-cancer conditions about whether they communicate with family and friends when making decisions about pain treatment. We believe that understanding how older adults communicate with family, friends and physicians will provide important information about decision-making processes as well as the particular contexts in which these decisions occur. This study will use a structured interview to identify specific treatment decisions older adults have encountered, to whom they turn for advice, and whether they perceive joint decision-making as a helpful strategy in making treatment selections.