Canadian Pain Task Force and External Advisory Panel Meeting: June 2, 2021

Canadian Pain Task Force Meeting: June 2, 2021, 11:00-13:00 EST
Via videoconference

Meeting Summary

Objectives

• Review actions to date related to the release of the Task Force Phase III report and reactions among stakeholders
• Discuss potential future dissemination activities and initial planning around implementation and related engagement
• Discuss priority areas and potential projects to inform the planning of future targeted and open calls for proposals for the Substance Use and Addictions Program

Participants

Task Force: Fiona Campbell, Maria Hudspith, Manon Choinière, Jacques Laliberté, Michael Sangster, Linda Wilhelm

EAP: Norm Buckley, Christine Chambers, Chloe Crosschild, Jennifer Harris, Gilles Lavigne, David Lussier, Justina Marianayagam, Laura Murphy, Steven Passmore, Dean Penney, John Pereira, Patricia Poulin, Kathleen Reid, Colleen Varcoe, Gerald Zamponi

Secretariat: Kelly Albert, Olanna Barnett, Sarah Batten, Suzete Dos Santos, Baies Haqani, Fiona Morrow, Nyree Schreiber, Andrew Taylor, Lindsey Yessick

Substance Use and Addiction Program: Jeannine McNeil, Tammy Simpson, Sheri Todd

Regrets: Hani El-Gabalawy

Welcome

• The Task Force Co-Chairs welcomed everyone and provided an overview of the meeting objectives and agenda. The Secretariat also inquired about changes to member affiliations and interests, with no significant updates reported.

Dissemination, analysis, and planning activities post release

• The Secretariat presented on the release and dissemination of the Task Force Phase III report, planning regarding future dissemination activities, and initial work related to exploring options for future government actions.
• The Task Force and External Advisory Panel discussed planned and potential future dissemination activities and ideas for engagement and actions around implementation of the Task Force recommendations. Main points of discussion focused on:
  • Engaging professional associations and organizations (e.g., physiotherapy, psychology, chiropractic, pharmacy, nursing) to disseminate Task Force findings and to discuss how to operationalize the Task Force recommendations.
  • Continuing dissemination via a broad range of media including social media, newsletters, conferences, journal articles, webinars, and magazines.
  • Focusing dissemination and engagement efforts in Fall 2021 when stakeholders will hopefully have greater capacity to engage in the Task Force work.
  • Leveraging networks such as the Chronic Pain Network, Canadian Pain Society, Canadian Pain Care Forum, and others to help enable dialogue and discussion.

Substance Use and Addiction Program discussion on priority areas and potential projects

• Representatives from the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) presented on the background, goals, and principles of SUAP and initial details around additional investment in the program announced in Budget 2021. The program is exploring the release of a new call for proposals to support community-based projects related to harm reduction, treatment, and prevention.
• The Task Force and External Advisory Panel members discussed potential priorities for new project investments related to the prevention and treatment of chronic pain, potential barriers and facilitators for pain-oriented proposals, and ideas for promising community-based pain projects.
• Main points of discussion focused on:
  • Acknowledging the importance of upstream prevention activities and focusing on priority populations in the SUAP call, including untreated pain.
  • Supporting projects employing patient-centred models and pathways to care, and those that address issues related to pain and comorbidities, transition in care, and navigation of the health system.
  • Improving capacity in primary care to manage pain.
  • Leveraging established networks to support regionally based micro grants, particularly in the area of peer support groups.
  • Supporting the scale of established pain education, capacity-building activities, and virtual platforms that provide wide access to pain care.
  • Grouping similar projects to increase collaboration and impact.

Next steps and follow-up items

• The Secretariat will share the meeting slides and more information on SUAP as well as explore the possibility of the Task Force and External Advisory Panel meeting again before the Fall.
• The Task Force and External Advisory Panel members will share further ideas related to dissemination, implementation engagement, and potential SUAP related priorities and projects.