Grant: CIHR-IMHA Inclusive Research Excellence Prizes - Research Impact

Chronic pain affects over 8 million Canadians and costs the healthcare system billions of dollars annually. Funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the study "Researching What Matters to Improve Chronic Pain Care in Canada: A Priority-Setting Partnership Process to Support Patient-Oriented Research" identified 14 key research priorities to guide chronic pain research in Canada. Using an approach informed by the James Lind Alliance, the study gathered insights from people living with chronic pain, clinicians, and researchers through surveys, town halls, interviews, and social media. These priorities were refined using a rigorous process and finalized through collaboration between patients and clinicians. Importantly, people with lived experience of chronic pain were involved at every stage, ensuring the research addressed their most pressing concerns. This work profoundly impacted the Chronic Pain Network (CPN), established in 2016 as part of Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research. The CPN's mission, shaped by these priorities, focuses on advancing research, improving access, and supporting innovative approaches like virtual and multidisciplinary care. The study also fueled initiatives like the Canadian Pain Task Force and the Power Over Pain Portal, reaching over 250,000 Canadians with resources for chronic pain, mental health, and substance use. Within this context, we developed a stepped care model that has improved access and reduced wait times. This model, now being replicated across Canada, is integrated within the Portal to enhance accessibility. By prioritizing patient voices, this research laid the foundation for a more coordinated, inclusive, and impactful approach to chronic pain care in Canada.