Shared Care Chronic Pain

The Elk Valley Chronic Pain project was initiated in February 2019 by local physicians who were experiencing the same challenges as a number of other rural communities in British Columbia regarding chronic pain care.

The main expected outcome of the project was to develop a local patient centered pain management team working closely with primary care providers to increase the capacity of patients with mild to moderate chronic pain to better self-manage their pain.

The main achievement of the Elk Valley Chronic Pain Project is, without a doubt, the creation of the new Living Well with Persistent Pain program.

Back in Control Program Booklet

Project Team

Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Status

Physician leads:
Dr. Todd Loewen
Dr. Joel Stimson

Project Lead: Charlie Sawatzky

Develop tools for self-management for patients with chronic pain.
Create a Network of professionals to support patients with chronic pain.
Facilitate Chronic Pain education opportunities for providers.

Living well with Persistent Pain program developed and integrated into the PCN.
Local workshops and conferences facilitated for patient and providers.

Complete

Selected to present at Quality Forum 2021

Chronic Pain Resources:

Pain education

Understanding Pain in less than 5 minutes and what to do about it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_3phB93rvI&feature=youtu.be&list=PLi1tOF1I5ZoWqXee-bkFpS4srhyDz_W17
https://www.liveplanbe.ca/pain-education
https://www.retrainpain.org/english One minute lessons on hot pain topics: Understanding Pain, Mind & Goals, Sleep and Pain, Medications, Relationships.
Learn about the science behind pain

Self-Management tools

Visit the Live Plan Be self-management portal to get started with a self-assessment and set realistic and meaningful goals: https://www.liveplanbe.ca/manage-my-pain
Use the Chronic Pain Management Roadmap as a self-management guide to support you on your pain journey: https://www.painbc.ca/sites/default/files/inline-files/PainBC_ChronicPainManagementRoadmap-Interactive-FINAL2019%5B1%5D_0.pdf
Use a Daily Pain Diary to help your doctor help you : https://www.caremark.com/Imagebank/Health_Diaries/DailyPainDiary.pdf
Check out the https://www.paintoolkit.org
Try meditation
Check out these apps:
- https://www.headspace.com
- https://www.calm.com
Learn about Box Breathing
Try mindfullness : https://mrsmindfulness.com
Learn about movement and exercise
Learn about substance dependence

You are not alone

Meet Bob! View this chronic pain patient video by Wendy Brown, created for Powell River Division of Family Practice
Hear from others with chronic pain
Connect with others : https://forum.liveplanbe.ca/home
Learn more and get involved in the creation of a local volunteer Pain Support Group:
- With People in Pain: https://www.pipain.com
- With Pain BC: https://painbc.ca/get-involved/volunteer-pain-support-and-wellness-group-facilitator
- With UVic: https://www.selfmanagementbc.ca/. A program poster and program overview are also available.

Need some help from a coach?

Call the Pain BC Support Line at 1-844-880-PAIN (7246)
Contact Coaching for Health https://painbc.ca/about/programs/coaching-health
Contact Self-Management BC: smhcoach@uvic.ca 604-940-1273 or 1-866-902-3767
Are you feeling low, stressed or anxious? Check out http://bouncebackbc.ca or call 1-866-639-0522

More resources

Education for Health Providers: