Background & Aims

Evidence-based treatment of chronic pain requires a multidisciplinary approach rooted in the biopsychosocial model. However, implementing this approach can pose challenges for pain clinics. Additional resources and expertise are needed to support a multidisciplinary team and to educate both healthcare providers and patients about effective pain management strategies that extend beyond medical procedures and pain medication. Pioneering pain clinics that have successfully adopted this multidisciplinary approach can serve as a model for other health services. Nevertheless, a concerted approach is needed to effectively share knowledge. The aim of the current project is to provide insights from the knowledge translation initiatives undertaken by the Transitional Pain Service (TPS), a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary pain program for patients at risk of developing chronic pain after surgery.

Methods

The TPS clinic was established in 2014 at the Toronto General Hospital, Canada’s leading surgical center. From the outset, one of the aims of the TPS has been to increase awareness and acceptance of the multidisciplinary care model among both healthcare providers and patients. To accomplish this aim, the TPS team has conducted specific knowledge translation activities geared towards these two groups including: on-site training of clinicians, supplying resources and tools for providers, offering pain education resources for patients, and implementing pain management tools. These activities follow the cyclical Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework widely used in healthcare settings, and include steps to determine the knowledge gap, adapt the knowledge to the local context, and monitor knowledge use.

Results

The TPS team conducted a needs assessment among patients and healthcare providers affiliated with the clinic to determine the knowledge gap and inform subsequent development of knowledge products. A clinic website www.transitionalpainservice.ca was developed to house and disseminate the knowledge products. Knowledge translation activities geared towards healthcare providers focused on education about the multidisciplinary treatment approach and a how-to-guide for establishing a TPS. Activities geared towards patients included introductory information on the website about the TPS model of care as well as two in-depth online learning modules: “Learn about Ongoing Pain after Surgery” and “The Role of Psychology in the Treatment of Pain”. Paper-based brochures and posters were also developed to disseminate information about the website and learning modules to patients. To monitor knowledge use, access to the knowledge products available online was tracked using web analytics tools.

Conclusions

Implementation of a multidisciplinary pain care model fundamentally relies on awareness and acceptance of the model by healthcare providers delivering pain care across the health system as well as patients who understand the benefits of this novel approach. Ongoing knowledge translation activities at the TPS have been essential to promoting this model of care. Further evaluation of the reach and effectiveness of these activities will provide insights on their impact going forward.

References

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Ng W, Slater H, Starcevich C, Wright A, Mitchell T, Beales D. Barriers and enablers influencing healthcare professionals’ adoption of a biopsychosocial approach to musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis. PAIN. 2021;162(8):2154.

Presenting Author

Anna M. Lomanowska

Poster Authors

Anna Lomanowska

PhD

University Health Network

Lead Author

E-mail

Sabrina Zhu

University of Toronto

Lead Author

E-mail

Christina Choo

University of Toronto

Lead Author

E-mail

Dora Y. Wang

Lead Author

Rabia Tahir

McMaster University

Lead Author

E-mail

Max Slepian

Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network

Lead Author

E-mail

Joel Katz

PhD

York University

Lead Author

E-mail

Hance Clarke

MD

University Health Network, University of Toronto

Lead Author

E-mail

Topics

  • Education