Ranelli, SoniaJordan, Joanne EAckerman, Ilana NThorpe, AlisonPersaud, Jennifer GWoodhouse, Linda JChua, JasonHorgan, BenBriggs, Andrew M2026-05-192026-05-192025-07-20Arthritis Care and Research, ISSN: 2151-464X (Print); 2151-4658 (Online), Wiley, 78(2), 282-295. doi: 10.1002/acr.256142151-464X2151-4658http://hdl.handle.net/10292/21130OBJECTIVES: Australian evidence on lived and care experiences of chronic musculoskeletal shoulder pain (CMSP), irrespective of disorder classification or disease, is limited. However, such evidence is important for person-centred care and informing local service pathways and care guidelines or standards. To address this gap, we explored i) lived experiences of adults with CMSP across domains of the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) Framework, and ii) their care experiences, preferences and priorities for CMSP. METHODS: A qualitative study, applying a phenomenological approach and purposive sampling was conducted with adults experiencing CMSP. Individual semi-structured interviews, informed by ICF domains, explored lived and care experiences/preferences of participants. Data were analysed using an inductive approach, by objective. RESULTS: Twenty adults (50% women) with diverse CMSP conditions/diagnoses, clinical profiles and age (21-76 years) participated. Five lived experience themes were identified: 1) impact on body functioning; 2) impact on sleep, energy and drive; 3) impact on mental well-being and evolving sense of self; 4) coping with CMSP; and 5) social support and participation. Four care experience themes included: 1) care seeking choices; 2) interactions with healthcare professionals (HCPs); and 3) values and preferences for components of CMSP care. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with CMSP experience impacts across life stages in multiple domains of functioning (ICF categories) relating to personal and social dimensions. Clinical encounters, particularly interactions with HCPs, influence an individual's confidence and engagement in their care. Discussion, education and goal setting through shared decision-making are valued attributes of clinical encounters among people with CMSP.© 2025 The Author(s). Arthritis Care & Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Rheumatology. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences4201 Allied Health and Rehabilitation Science4203 Health Services and Systems3202 Clinical Sciences42 Health SciencesPain ResearchClinical ResearchSocial Determinants of HealthBehavioral and Social ScienceChronic Pain7.1 Individual care needs7.3 Management and decision making3 Good Health and Well Being1103 Clinical Sciences1117 Public Health and Health Services1701 Psychology3202 Clinical sciences4201 Allied health and rehabilitation scienceHumansFemaleMaleMiddle AgedAdultQualitative ResearchShoulder PainAgedAustraliaYoung AdultChronic PainAdaptation, PsychologicalSocial SupportHumansShoulder PainAdaptation, PsychologicalQualitative ResearchSocial SupportAdultAgedMiddle AgedAustraliaFemaleMaleYoung AdultChronic PainHumansFemaleMaleMiddle AgedAdultQualitative ResearchShoulder PainAgedAustraliaYoung AdultChronic PainAdaptation, PsychologicalSocial SupportJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.1002/acr.25614