From our Executive Director, Maria Hudspith
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I just returned from the
40th annual Canadian Pain Society
conference in Toronto. The conference, in my view, marked a turning point for the issue of pain in Canada. What was different this time?
The big news was that the Federal Health Minister, Ginette Petitpas-Taylor, opened the conference with an announcement of the newly created
Canadian Pain Task Force
(CPTF). The CPTF is made up of 8 people with lived experience of pain, clinical experts and researchers and will be supported by an external advisory committee with representation from across Canada. I am honoured to serve as the co-chair alongside Dr. Fiona Campbell, a paediatric anaesthesiologist from SickKids Hospital in Toronto. The Task Force has a 3-year mandate to provide critical insight to the federal government on how to improve chronic pain care in our country. We’ve already hit the ground running and the first report – focused on the current state of pain care in Canada – is due to the federal Minister by the end of June. Many federal departments – including CIHR, Veterans Affairs, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Indigenous Services and others – will be looking at their own mandates and how they can contribute to this effort. There will be opportunities for involvement in CPTF’s work, including regional consultations, online engagement and more. Input to the CPTF should be sent to
hc.cptfsecretariatsecretariatgtcsld.sc@canada.ca
.
While attending the CPS conference, I also learned about the ground-breaking work being done by Canadian and international scientists and researchers from many disciplines. In addition to the more scientific presentations (think ganglion cells and neurotransmitters), there were various presentations on advancing policy change, communicating in new ways about pain science, exploring the ethics of “proving” chronic pain, and addressing equity, diversity and stigma. We know that living with pain is a biopsychosocial experience and this year’s conference dug into the “social” side more than usual. This broader focus seemed like a big shift – and a welcomed one. If you’re interested in seeing a full conference agenda,
you can access it here
. The Pain BC team will be working to bring you interviews, webinars, blog posts and podcasts from some of these leading researchers in the months ahead.
In addition to great new content, the conference secured #PatientsIncluded status again this year. This means that people with lived experience of pain were involved in all aspects of the conference, from representation on the Program Committee, to attendance via scholarships and even presenters. For the first time, CPS welcomed a youth delegate. I was thrilled to meet with Renee (pictured above) and her mom Anna. The movement of people with lived experience of pain is very clearly gaining ground. The launch of the CPTF is a great opportunity to further this groundswell and amplify these voices to make meaningful change for the 1 in 5 people who live with pain in our country.
Stay tuned for updates as our work progresses!
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Access our free database of pain self-management resources, including articles, assessment tools, and an anonymous discussion forum.
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Connect with a trained volunteer to talk about your pain, get help with finding a new physician, find information on community resources, and much more.
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Rethinking pain: Using movement as an educational tool for pain management
Newest Pain Waves podcast episode
In our most recent episode of the Pain Waves podcast, we’re joined by Neil Pearson, a renowned physiotherapist, clinical assistant professor and yoga therapist, to talk about how understanding pain in a different way can help improve our process for self-care and managing pain when it persists. We also introduce our collaborative Gentle Movement and Relaxation Course, a free online course that will equip health care providers in BC with knowledge and resources to lead their own movement and relaxation programs for people with persistent pain.
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Last chance for patient feedback: Pharmacare coverage of Botox
Submit feedback by May 1, 2019
The Ministry of Health is considering the coverage of Botox (onabobotulinumtoxinA) under PharmaCare for chronic migraines, and is seeking input from both patient and caregiver audiences. Anyone interested in providing their feedback can do so through their website until May 1, 2019.
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10th Annual Walk for Arthritis
June 1-2, 2019 in various locations throughout the province
The Arthritis Society is holding their 10th Annual Walk for Arthritis fundraising event on June 1-2, 2019 to bring together those living with arthritis, and to raise funds and awareness for this chronic illness. Walk for Arthritis is being held in various cities throughout the province, including
Vancouver, Kelowna, Kamloops, Parksville and Victoria. Those who are interested in participating can do so by walking and fundraising, donating to a participant or volunteering.
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Arthritis Talks: The next generation of arthritis education
First webinar on May 4, 2019
The Arthritis Society has created a new webinar series,
Arthritis Talks
, to share the latest evidence-based information from arthritis experts and to help people learn more about managing and living well with arthritis.
The topic of their first webinar on
May 4, 2019 is "Nourish and Flourish"
, during which experts in nutrition, physical activity and medical cannabis will bring current research and information about arthritis. Participants will be able to attend and ask their questions directly from the comfort of their homes.
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CPSBC Draft Procedural Pain Management Standard
Accepting feedback until May 27, 2019
The
College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC
is seeking feedback on a draft Standard on Procedural Pain Management Accreditation that will limit which doctors are able to perform certain injection-based pain management procedures. Pain BC is concerned that the new regulations are too restrictive and unnecessarily reduce access to pain management treatments for people who already have too few options for care.
We encourage you to read the Standard and share your feedback with the College before May 27, 2019. Please note that the consultation questions are quite limited in scope. We encourage you to share your concerns when asked this question: Do you have concerns about the College improving the safety and quality of procedural pain management procedures performed in community-based physician offices, practices and clinics?
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Painaustralia Report: The cost of pain in Australia
With the help of Deloitte Access Economics,
Painaustralia
recently published a report to discuss their findings on the economic costs associated with chronic pain in Australia. The goal of the report is to encourage national action towards improved chronic pain treatment and care in their country. The full report can be accessed at the link below.
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Upcoming Pain BC and partner events, workshops and webinars
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Pain BC workshop: Chronic Pain Management for Registered Massage Therapists
This workshop provides RMTs with an opportunity to learn how modifications of traditional massage therapy practices can increase success and improve outcomes for people in pain.
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Pain BC workshop: Chronic Pain Management for Chiropractors
This workshop is for chiropractors or students of chiropractic interested in developing or enhancing their clinical skills in the assessment and treatment of people living with complex and chronic pain.
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BC ECHO for Chronic Pain
This new and free virtual learning community will bring together specialists and community health care providers from around the province to learn together from complex pain cases.
Cycle 1 is now full. We encourage you to apply to join Cycle 2, which will begin in September 2019.
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Gentle Movement and Relaxation Course
This free and online course will equip physiotherapists and other therapeutic movement professionals with practical knowledge and teaching resources to lead their own movement and relaxation programs for people living with chronic pain.
The Gentle Movement and Relaxation Course is currently available to BC health care providers only.
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There’s a chronic pain crisis in Canada, and governments must address it
This article sheds light on the current pain landscape in Canada and discusses the need for more affordable services and treatments for the 1 in 5 Canadians living with pain.
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At 71, she's never felt pain or anxiety. Now scientists know why
Scientists have found a rare genetic mutation that has prevented 71-year old Jo Cameron from feeling pain throughout life, including during typically painful events like childbirth and experiencing a fracture.
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My chronic illness changed how I think about mental health
A person with pain shares how prioritizing their own needs and wellbeing has helped with managing their chronic illness.
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UBC researchers create robot to help soothe pain of neonatal intensive-care-unit babies
Researchers have created a new device to reduce pain in premature babies by simulating skin contact during procedures when a parent is not available.
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Pain BC programs and initiatives are funded, in whole or in part, by the Government of British Columbia.
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© 2019 Pain BC Society. All Rights Reserved.
1508 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6J 1W8
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