Improving systems

We know complex problems can’t be solved by one group alone – improving the lives of people in pain requires collective action. In 2022, Pain BC collaborated with people in pain and their families, health care providers, other non-profit organizations, government, researchers, and many others to advance our shared goals of improving the systems people in pain rely on to stay well.

British Columbia

  • Advised the Provincial Health Services Authority on the creation and launch of the Pain Care BC Health Improvement Network
  • Coordinated a review of self-management program curricula used by health care providers teaching self-management skills to people with pain
  • Worked with ICBC to:
    • Develop a seven-hour, three-module online training course to help ICBC Recovery Specialists understand pain and the best ways to provide support to people living with pain as the result of a motor vehicle accident
    • Review and consult on client-facing materials used by ICBC staff when working with clients in pain
  • Developed a psychosocial community of practice for clinicians in health organizations across BC to meet and discuss the issues they and their clients are facing, resulting in the creation of a resource document for use in pain clinics

Canada

  • Participated in federal Ministerial roundtables on substance use, mental health and pain in the trades and natural resource industries
  • Advised the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction on a toolkit supporting employers and employees in the trades
  • Advised UBC and Western University on the EQUIP Equity Action Kit, training to help health care professionals provide equitable, stigma-free care
  • Advised Corrections Canada on pain self-management programs for people with pain who are incarcerated

We know complex problems can’t be solved by one group alone – improving the lives of people in pain requires collective action. In 2020, Pain BC collaborated with people in pain and their families, health care providers, other non-profit organizations, government, researchers, and many others to work toward our shared goals of improving the systems people in pain rely on to stay well.

British Columbia

  • Coordinated three active provincial Working Groups with 84 members to:
    • Review clinical tools to improve assessment of people when accessing pain-related programs and services and to assist connection to appropriate resources
    • Review self-management program curricula to support implementation of best practices
  • As part of ICBC’s new “Enhanced Care” model, we began developing a seven-hour online training course to help ICBC Recovery Specialists understand pain and its treatment, the experience of people living with pain, and the best ways to provide support.

Canada

  • We engaged in Health Canada’s Canadian Pain Task Force:
    • Pain BC’s Executive Director led the Task Force as co-chair
    • This work led to Health Canada’s 2021 report, An Action Plan for Pain in Canada
    • We empowered other organizations to raise awareness of the Action Plan and advocate for its implementation by launching the #PrioritizePain campaign with more than 40 campaign partner organizations across the country