The experiences and beliefs of people with severe haemophilia and healthcare professionals on pain management, and their views of using exercise as an aspect of intervention: a qualitative study

This study explored the experiences, views and beliefs of people with severe haemophilia and healthcare professionals (HCPs) on approaches for pain management, as well as their views on exercise being used as an aspect of management. Taking a qualitative inquiry approach using focus groups and semi-structured interviews, participants included people with severe haemophilia living with chronic pain and haemophilia HCPs. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Fourteen men with haemophilia with a median age of 47 (range 23-73) and six haemophilia HCPs agreed to participate. Of the people with haemophilia, 11 attended two focus groups and three were interviewed over telephone. Healthcare professionals were interviewed face-to-face. Two themes were conceptualised from the data: (i) haemophilia management and pain management is discordant (imbalance between good haemophilia care but poor pain management, historical medico-social influences on pain management, the need for trust); (ii) uncertain about exercise but clear on what matters (conflicting views on exercise, the need for proof of safety, personalised care).