Table 8 Summary of key findings relating to feasibility, challenges faced, and lessons learned

• It is necessary to allow for an increase in contracting time between the research institution multiple partners.

• Matching participants’ skills and aspirations to placement types is difficult in some cases.

• It is necessary to ensure a good range of placements up-front, ideally with redundant capacities that match recruitment site areas under the assumption of good recruitment.

• It is necessary to ensure early involvement of those who will provide placements and not only high-level management.

• Multiple placement providers and recruitment sites are needed.

• Employment services sites recruit more participants than NHS pain clinics.

• Forming a work plan as a collaborative exercise between participant, case manager, and placement manager works well.

• Additional issues surrounding confidence, anxiety, learning difficulties, or comorbidities to chronic pain complicates cases and requires increased case manager time.

• Participants value the work preparation session, which facilitates fellowship with those in similar circumstances and removes feelings of isolation.

• Some participants find it dispiriting if they are unable to be placed, but these participants still value the work preparation session.

• Participants value the support and understanding of the case manager.

• Follow-up response rate is relatively poor, and additional effort and consideration may be needed to improve this in a full trial.