Evidence Brief: Supporting Chronic Pain Management across Provincial and Territorial Health Systems in Canada

ABSTRACT

Chronic pain is a serious health problem given its prevalence, associated disability, impact on quality of life, and the costs associated with the extensive use of healthcare services by people living with chronic pain.(1) In Canada, some investments have been made to strengthen chronic pain management. For example, Alberta Health and Wellness (in partnership with the Alberta Medical Association, the Calgary Health Region, and the Capital Health Region) initiated pilot projects to evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary chronic pain management programs in Calgary and Edmonton.(2) In Québec, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (Ministry of Health and Social Services) struck a committee to develop a national vision for the evaluation, treatment, and management of chronic pain.(1) The Nova Scotia Department of Health has provided a budget of $1 million per year since 2007 to support a province-wide system of pain clinics with regional primary- and secondary-care clinics and a central tertiary-care hub.(3) Despite these and other investments, the management of chronic pain remains a serious health system challenge.