Canadian Pain Task Force Meeting: July 26, 2019

Canadian Pain Task Force Meeting: July 26 2019, 15:00-17:00 EST

Via teleconference

Meeting Summary

Objectives

• Debrief of the first phase of the Task Force’s mandate
• Discuss the objectives of the next phase of the Task Force’s work and a draft outline of the Task Force report due in June 2020
• Plan for stakeholder engagement activities

Participants

Melissa Anderson, Fiona Campbell, Manon Choinière, Hani El-Gabalawy, Jacques Laliberté, Jaris Swidrovich, Linda Wilhelm

Regrets: Maria Hudspith

Secretariat: Andrea Currie, Kristyn Franklin, Andrew Taylor, Megan Wyszynski

Affiliations and Interests

No changes declared

Opening remarks

Andrea Currie provided an overview of the meeting objectives.

Debrief of the first phase of the Task Force mandate, March to June 2019

Task Force members reviewed the process for developing the first Task Force report. They noted what worked well and provided recommendations to facilitate the development of the next Task Force report.

Task Force members discussed feedback received to date from stakeholders following their review of the Task Force report. The report has generated discussion and suggestions for issues to consider in the next phase of the Task Force’s work. Task Force members provided a few suggestions to continue to raise awareness about chronic pain through dissemination of the first report:

• An executive summary would facilitate outreach to key stakeholders.
• Strategic outreach to some stakeholders should continue through the summer, while in some instances it would be better to wait until September to reach out (i.e., some networks will pick up activities and communications in early fall).
• It would be helpful to engage External Advisory Panels for suggestions regarding targeted outreach

Task Force members discussed additional actions around appropriate opioid prescribing for people living with pain.

• Task Force members will provide feedback on the Opioid Prescribing Framework developed by the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC) and asked that the Secretariat request permission from FMRAC to share the Framework with External Advisory Panel members for input as well. The Secretariat will consolidate member feedback.
• Secretariat staff noted they will be requesting provincial/territorial government representatives to provide a listing of key resources for people living with pain within their jurisdiction. These resources will enable the Secretariat to provide more specific suggestions to Canadians who contact the Secretariat seeking help finding pain care.
• Task Force members and Secretariat staff will continue to discuss this issue at stakeholder meetings and will continue to recommend additional actions.

Objectives of the next phase of the Task Force’s work, July 2019 to June 2020

Task Force members discussed the objectives of the next phase of the Task Force’s work along with a draft outline of the Task Force report due in June 2020.

• Task Force members discussed the objectives of the next phase of their work as per their mandate: identify best and leading practices and elements of an improved approach to preventing and managing chronic pain in Canada.
• There was general agreement on the methods to inform the next phase including literature reviews, evidence syntheses, and public and stakeholder engagement activities.
• There was general agreement on the areas of inquiry including: surveillance and monitoring of quality improvement; access to timely and appropriate care; awareness, education and specialized training; pain research and related infrastructure; coordination of federal, provincial and territorial actions on chronic pain. Prevention of chronic pain should also be addressed, particularly, the management of acute pain to prevent chronic pain.
• Task Force members emphasized the importance of engaging External Advisory Panel members early in this phase.
• Task Force members also emphasized that the report should be based on input gathered through public and stakeholder engagement, and discussed the importance of broad engagement of people personally impacted by pain.

Secretariat staff provided an overview of a draft engagement plan including five regional stakeholder engagement events across the country, roundtable discussions on specific topics, engagement activities specific to priority subpopulations and a general online public consultation. Task Force members discussed the overall approach to public and stakeholder engagement activities.

• Approach should be flexible taking advantage of many different opportunities to engage the public and stakeholders, and tailoring discussions to suit the audience.
• Access to care, therapeutics and clinical pathways will be most important themes for many stakeholders. It will be important to note jurisdictional issues and where there are opportunities to improve through federal and coordinated national action.
• Quality monitoring and performance measurement are also critical to discuss to determine how best to evaluate impacts of any actions on pain. This theme may be addressed in various engagement activities including targeted discussions with key technical stakeholders.
• An economics lens could be used to frame some discussions (e.g., addressing barriers to physical and psychological pain management options, health care provider remuneration, opportunities for change resulting from new ICD-11 codes for chronic pain).

Task Force members brainstormed planned conferences and meetings that could be explored for possible engagement activities.

Follow-up Items

• Secretariat to develop an executive summary of the first Task Force report for review by Task Force members
• Task Force and Secretariat to continue to notify colleagues and key stakeholders of first Task Force report and discuss additional outreach with External Advisory Panel members
• Task Force members to provide feedback on FMRAC’s Opioid Prescribing Framework for consolidation by Secretariat and Secretariat to request permission to extend opportunity to review the Framework to External Advisory Panel members as well
• Secretariat to obtain listing of provincial/territorial resources for people living with pain through provincial/territorial government contacts
• Secretariat to revise the draft outline of the June 2020 report for review by Task Force members and subsequently External Advisory Panel members
• Secretariat to revise the draft stakeholder engagement plan for review by Task Force members and subsequently External Advisory Panel members
• Secretariat to circulate the Look Ahead calendar to Task Force and External Advisory Panel members to identify possible engagement opportunities
• The next scheduled meeting of the Task Force is on August 29, 2019