Over the next two years, Powell River Division of Family Practice will conduct an extensive investigation on chronic pain. Community members have contributed to a funding proposal for the large undertaking to address an even larger health issue in Powell River.
By its simplest definition, chronic pain is pain that lasts for a long time period of time.
“Chronic pain is complex and different for each person,” said Powell River Division of Family Practice physician lead Bruce Hobson. “Pain is called chronic pain when it remains after an injury is healed. It is caused by the sensitivity of the nervous system, which is impacted by how we eat and live.”
A huge number of people live with chronic pain, according to project manager Christien Kaaij. One in five Canadians suffer in one form or another, which equates to approximately 4,000 people in Powell River.
Kaaij said the focus in the past has always been on relieving pain, but that ideal has now shifted toward the self-management and functionality of sufferers, as well as increasing public knowledge and awareness.
“Our project focuses on making sure people are aware of what kind of resources are available in our community, but also on seeing what kind of specialized models we have in our community and how can we provide better support services for people living with chronic pain,” said Kaaij.
Kaaij said patient-advisory committees will be established to enable sufferers to have their say at the table along with physicians and health-care providers.
Tasks that project organizers have set for this group to tackle include investigating existing services, finding gaps in those services and increasing awareness and knowledge for the public and health-care workers.
“Knowledge about chronic pain, treatment and medication is constantly changing,” said Hobson. “Increasing knowledge about chronic pain and available support services, in and outside our community and even online, is beneficial for physicians, the general public and other health-care providers.”
