Speak up for people with chronic pain
Chronic pain affects one in five Canadians.
Here in Atlantic Canada, this means almost 500,000 people are suffering. They often can't get the help they need and are living in constant, debilitating pain. If you are waiting months or years to see a pain specialist, can't get access to the medications you need, are unable to get proper care that addresses all aspects of your chronic pain condition, you are not alone.
Join us as we speak out on the behalf of the thousands of Atlantic Canadians who are dealing with this unacceptable situation. Write a letter to your local MLA/MHA to express your concerns about the state of our health care for chronic pain patients.
Here in Atlantic Canada, this means almost 500,000 people are suffering. They often can't get the help they need and are living in constant, debilitating pain. If you are waiting months or years to see a pain specialist, can't get access to the medications you need, are unable to get proper care that addresses all aspects of your chronic pain condition, you are not alone.
Join us as we speak out on the behalf of the thousands of Atlantic Canadians who are dealing with this unacceptable situation. Write a letter to your local MLA/MHA to express your concerns about the state of our health care for chronic pain patients.
Write to Your MLA
The current state of chronic pain treatment and support is a health crisis that needs solutions, such as:
• More funding and resources to reduce waiting lists for chronic pain treatment and improve access to care.
• Establish a special billing fee code in each province so that doctors aren't penalized for spending time treating and managing chronic pain.
• Provincial strategies initiated by the Department of Health for dealing with chronic pain.
• Increased coverage of evidence-based medications that are critical components of pain management for some individuals.
• Innovative programs for self-management, coping and mentoring.
• Access best-practice, non-medication methods of pain management (ranging from relaxation and physiotherapy methods to more complex cognitive behavioral treatment)
• Increased curriculum for studying physicians and nurses to improve their understanding of chronic pain.
• More funding and resources to reduce waiting lists for chronic pain treatment and improve access to care.
• Establish a special billing fee code in each province so that doctors aren't penalized for spending time treating and managing chronic pain.
• Provincial strategies initiated by the Department of Health for dealing with chronic pain.
• Increased coverage of evidence-based medications that are critical components of pain management for some individuals.
• Innovative programs for self-management, coping and mentoring.
• Access best-practice, non-medication methods of pain management (ranging from relaxation and physiotherapy methods to more complex cognitive behavioral treatment)
• Increased curriculum for studying physicians and nurses to improve their understanding of chronic pain.
