Objectives To explore the content (subjective questions, objective tools and outcome measures) and discuss the nature (qualitative elements and wider considerations) of the athlete pain assessment by facilitating shared understandings of athlete and sports physiotherapists.

Design Qualitative Research using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach.

Methods We carried out focus groups comprising a deliberate criterion sample using a constructivist perspective. We developed a topic guide and used reflexive thematic analysis. We developed codes, candidate themes and finalised themes iteratively and employed a critical friend to add depth to our analysis. Our paper follows the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines.

Results We completed five focus groups, comprising twelve athletes (five female, seven male) and four sports physiotherapists (four male). Three final themes (and eight subthemes) were created; I Measures, Scales and Dimensions (value and limitations of tools and scales, multidimensional methods, making sense and interpreting), II Connect, Listen and Learn (the pain interview and athlete’s story, forging the athlete-clinician connection), III Lighthouse in the Storm (information overload and indecision, a beacon of direction; the role of the physiotherapist, the burden of expectation; challenges for physiotherapists)

Conclusion We described and explored the phenomena of pain assessment in sport including current pain assessment strategies. Comprehensive multidimensional assessment methods that preserve the athlete-clinician therapeutic relationship and facilitate optimal communication are priorities for future research and practice.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This work was supported by funding from Science Foundation Ireland under the grant for the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics (SFI/12/RC/2289_P2) Funders had no role in the data collection, analysis or interpretation and will have no role in approving the final manuscript.

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Ethical guidelines were followed as per the Declaration of Helsinki, and permission was granted for this study by the University College Dublin Human Research Ethics Committee. (LS-22-40-Purcell-Caulfield)

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