The Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans is a national research centre that partners with Veterans. It was established to research pain management and therapies that address Veterans' unique chronic pain needs to improve well-being.
About the Centre
The Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (the Centre) was established as a research centre in 2020 to improve the understanding of Veteran-specific chronic pain and how best to manage it. The Centre partners with a network that includes academic research institutions. Research findings are used to help build knowledge and promote evidence-based pain management therapies that can be used by healthcare professionals, case managers, and by Veterans and their families.
While chronic pain affects roughly 20% of Canadians, it affects 41% of Veterans. It is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical treatment. People with chronic pain can also experience sorrow, stress, increased anxiety, a feeling of being powerless, and the stigma that can come from dealing with pain.
The Centre aims to improve ways for Veterans to manage their pain and reconnect with life. While chronic pain cannot always be treated, it can be better managed. Pain education helps improve practices for prevention and treatment.
Engaging Veterans at all levels
At the core of all Centre activities is the principle of Veteran engagement. Collaboration, consultation and engagement with Veterans helps direct new research in chronic pain, and translate knowledge into guidelines and policy. The Advisory Council for Veterans advises on research priorities and uses the priority setting method promoted by the James Lind Alliance. This approach ensures that clinical research delves deep into the real challenges that Veterans and their families face. Veterans also ensure that research has an accessible, living, practical, and positive impact on the well-being of Veterans and their families.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. How can the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence benefit Veterans?
Since 2020, the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence's goal has been to improve ways for Veterans to manage their pain and reconnect with life. Their Veteran-focused research findings are making a positive difference in lives as the centre builds and mobilizes knowledge to improve evidence-based pain management therapies. The Centre offers support by offering:
Q2. Where is the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence located?
The Centre is in McMaster Innovation Park, Hamilton, Ontario, a premier innovation and research facility, and part of McMaster University.
Q3. Can I access clinical services for chronic pain?
Yes, you can make a request. While the Centre does not provide direct services, Veterans who receive Treatment Benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) can access care at a chronic pain clinic by making a request through their case manager or their family physician.