Life Beyond Pain Learning Collaborative Meeting – July 9, 2026

Link to the meeting video

(Jump to 24 minutes for Goal Setting in Epic)

Opening Check-in

Jason opened the meeting with a brief grounding exercise using a singing bowl and guided meditation before inviting each participant to share how they were doing. Most expressed gratitude for the work. Everyone is seeing that patients’ attitudes improve. Providers are gaining confidence with their new roles as group facilitators. A sense of community develops in the group over time.

Program Observations

Maddie’s observation

Maddie described one patient who had previously been consistently angry, depressed, and difficult during clinic visits but who had become noticeably happier and more engaged through participation in the group. She also noted that getting to know patients in the group setting had changed how she viewed difficult patients, giving her greater compassion and understanding of the challenges underlying their behavior. Jason commented that this increased understanding among clinic staff was an unexpected but important benefit of the program.

Mark’s observations

Mark reported visiting both the PeaceHealth and Gabriel Park groups and said the visits convinced him that “this is working.” He highlighted several elements that impressed him:

• Kira’s guided relaxation exercise produced a noticeable feeling of relaxation.
• Ear acupuncture was clearly helping participants. They looked forward to treatment.
• The combination of education, meditation, relaxation, and acupuncture represented an important “secret sauce” that cannot typically be provided during a standard clinic visit.
• He plans to use these observations when discussing future expansion with the Oregon Health Authority and recruiting additional clinics.

Epic Lifestyle Goal Documentation

Jason demonstrated the new Epic workflow for documenting patient lifestyle goals established during Session 10.

Key recommendations included:

• Record the patient’s goal verbatim.
• Use the Patient Goals section in Epic where available.
• Schedule at least one follow-up visit within the next month.
• Use the lifestyle goal check-in SmartPhrase to document progress.

Nick noted that his Epic installation did not include the customizable “Create Lifestyle Goal” option, prompting discussion about alternative approaches that could work in different Epic implementations.

Mark emphasized that documenting and following up on patient goals is essential to the research project because it will demonstrate whether patients continue making lifestyle changes after the formal program ends.

Clinic Updates

Winding Waters (Kathryn)

Kathryn reported that:

• The clinic is currently on Week 4.
• Seven to eight participants attend consistently.
• She is following the session outline (set lists) closely while she gains experience facilitating groups.
• Patients are responding positively to the ear acupuncture. Some were initially skeptical but later requested it after seeing other participants receive it.
• She has not yet incorporated tuning forks because she performs the acupuncture herself and does not have enough time during the sessions, although she hopes to add them later.
• Ear acupuncture was demonstrated at a provider meeting, increasing provider awareness and referrals.
• Patients enjoy the educational videos and have begun asking whether each week’s session will include one.
• The journal has been more difficult to integrate because participants frequently forget to bring it.
• She views consistent attendance as one of the biggest successes, believing that the sense of community itself is therapeutic.
• She hopes to begin the next cohort immediately after the current one finishes to maintain momentum.
• Recruitment is progressing well, with six referrals already received and additional patients interested in joining the next group.

PeaceHealth Cottage Grove (Nick)

Nick reported that:

• Week 8 focused on medications.
• Only one participant attended that session, but it resulted in a meaningful one-on-one discussion.
• One participant who had previously appeared depressed and stuck showed noticeably greater optimism and engagement, which Nick felt may have been influenced by the nutrition module.
• Ear acupuncture acceptance continues to increase, with initially skeptical patients later requesting treatment after observing others.
• Recruitment for the next cohort will depend heavily on increasing provider referrals and improving promotional materials.

Richmond / Gabriel Park

Jenny reported that:

• The first cohort is nearing completion.
• Attendance has gradually declined, although the remaining participants appear highly engaged.
• The strongest benefit appears to be the opportunity for patients to experience community, support, and being heard.
• One participant has made extensive use of the journal, while most participants have used it only occasionally.
• Approximately 19 patients are already waiting for the next cohort.
• The next group will likely begin in September because Kira will be unavailable due to her upcoming wedding.

Attendance Discussion

Kathryn asked why some enrolled patients never attend.

Discussion points included:

• Jason suggested that some patients agree during clinic visits without fully committing and later decide not to attend.
• Kristin Erickson suggested communication problems, reminder systems, or scheduling barriers.
• Mark shared that his conversations with research participants suggest the primary reasons are chaotic life circumstances, including surgery, moving, family obligations, and other competing demands rather than lack of interest. He encouraged clinics to continue inviting these patients to future cohorts rather than assuming they had lost interest.

Future Plans

Jason reported that the team is considering offering a one-day workshop this fall for additional clinics interested in implementing the program, with the possibility of inviting them into the Learning Collaborative.