Action On Pain

This week, we are revisiting our conversation with Dr. Mike Hildebrand, a leading pain researcher at Carleton University, about innovative approaches to understanding and treating chronic pain in Canada. Dr. Hildebrand discusses his lab’s groundbreaking work with human spinal tissue, collaborative research with patient partners, and creative animal models. The episode highlights the importance of...

This week, we are revisiting our conversation with Dr. Nader Ghasemlou from Queen’s University about the future of chronic pain research in Canada. Dr. Ghasemlou shares how patient experiences are shaping his lab’s innovative approach, bridging basic science and clinical care. The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration, patient involvement, and increased investment to advance pain m...

In this week's episode of Action on Pain, the hosts sit down with Dr. Hance Clarke and Dr. Tania Di Renna to discuss the Canadian Pain Society’s (CPS) new strategic plan and its alignment with Health Canada’s An Action Plan for Pain in Canada. They highlight CPS’s commitment to improving pain management, advancing research, and fostering education and engagement with people living with pain. T...

In this week's episode, Virginia, Jennifer, and Keith speak with physiotherapist Tori Etheridge about advancing chronic pain care in Canada. The discussion explores gaps in pain education, the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of new core competencies for clinicians. Tori emphasizes patient-centred care and the need for shared knowledge among healthcare profess...

In today's episode of Action on Pain, Jennifer, Keith, and Virginia welcome Dr. Christine Chambers, a leader in pediatric pain research. Together, they discuss the evolution of children’s pain care in Canada, the creation of the Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) network, and the importance of translating research into real-world solutions. The episode highlights the power of collaboration and...

In this week's episode of Action on Pain, Jennifer and Keith welcome Dr. Jennifer Stinson, a nurse clinician-scientist and leading pediatric pain expert from SickKids Hospital in Toronto. The discussion highlights innovative tools, digital resources, and educational programs designed to improve equitable access and outcomes for children and youth living with chronic pain in Canada. Dr. Stinson...

In this week's episode, Jennifer, Virginia, and Keith welcome Dr. Katie Birnie to discuss advances in equitable pain management for children and youth in Canada. The conversation highlights the importance of early intervention, national standards, and collaborative research. Personal stories underscore the need for better support and awareness. The episode emphasizes the collective progress be...

In this week's episode of Action on Pain, Keith, Jennifer and Virginia welcome guest Jenny Lorca, an advocate living with chronic pain. The discussion explores Jenny’s personal journey, the importance of community support, and the value of integrating lived and living experience into research, policy, and education. The episode highlights the power of peer connection, advocacy, and collaborati...

In today's episode of Action on Pain, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer welcome Dr. Jaris Swidrovich, an Indigenous pharmacist and advocate, to discuss chronic pain in Canada. Dr. Swidrovich shares insights on the importance of equity, storytelling, and community engagement in pain management, highlighting the role of pharmacists as accessible healthcare partners. The conversation explores the imp...

In this episode of Action on Pain, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer speak with Dr. Tania Di Renna, a leading pain medicine expert. Dr. Di Renna discusses innovative, patient-centered approaches to chronic pain care, highlighting the Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute (TAMPI) model and the importance of collaboration, education, and equitable access. The conversation explores how data-driven str...

In this episode of Action on Pain, Keith, Virginia, and Jennifer are joined by Dr. Rachael Bosma, a leading pain scientist and advocate. Dr. Bosma explores innovative approaches to chronic pain care in Canada, including patient-centred research, education, and strategies to reduce wait times. She shares insights on bridging research and clinical practice, empowering patients, and advancing equity...

In this week's episode of Action on Pain, Keith, Jennifer, and Virginia welcome retired physiotherapist and long-time pain advocate Mary Brachaniec, who shares her journey living with inflammatory arthritis and in leading national efforts to improve chronic pain care in Canada. Mary discusses her pioneering work in patient engagement, research, and advocacy—especially for seniors and those wit...

This week, we are revisiting our conversation with Dr. Gabrielle Pagé. In this week's episode of Action on Pain, Keith, Jennifer, and Virginia welcome Dr. Gabrielle Pagé to discuss advances in chronic pain care in Canada. Dr. Pagé shares insights on patient-centered research, the impact of stress on pain, and the importance of interdisciplinary care. The conversation highlights challenges in a...

Join us as we revisit our conversation with Dr. Norm Buckley. In this episode, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer chat with Dr. Norm Buckley to discuss the evolution of chronic pain management in Canada. They explore the history, challenges, and advances in pain care, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and coordinated policy. Dr. Buckley shares insights from his career and highl...

This week, we are revisiting our conversation with Lynn Cooper. In this episode of Action On Pain, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer speak with Lynn Cooper, a leading pain advocate with over 25 years of experience. Lynn shares her journey from living with persistent pain after a workplace injury to championing the inclusion of lived experience in pain research, policy, and education. The conversation...

This week, we are revisiting our conversation with Maria Hudspith and Dr. Fiona Campbell. In this episode, we speak with Maria Hudspith and Dr. Fiona Campbell, co-chairs of the Canadian Pain Task Force. Together, we discuss the origins and impact of Canada’s Action Plan for Pain, highlighting the challenges, breakthroughs, and collaborative efforts that shaped national pain management policy. Gain...

In this week's episode of Action on Pain, Keith, Virginia and Jennifer spotlight innovative efforts to improve chronic pain care in Newfoundland and Labrador. Guest Julie Sullivan, the Director of the Strategic Health Network for Complex Pain discusses the province’s new hub and spoke model, designed to bring pain services closer to rural communities and reduce barriers to care. The conversati...

In this episode, Keith and Virginia sit down with physiotherapist, educator, researcher, and lived-experience advocate Lesley Singer. Lesley shares how some outdated beliefs about work-related injuries shaped her early career until her own journey with chronic neuropathic pain transformed everything. Together, they explore some of the challenges within physiotherapy education, some misconceptions...

In this week's episode, Keith, Virginia and Jennifer speak with Dr. Andrea Furlan, a leading physician scientist and educator in chronic pain management. Dr. Furlan discusses her work developing clinical guidelines, supporting clinicians through Project ECHO, and creating accessible educational resources for people living with pain. The conversation highlights the importance of patient-centred...

In this episode of Action on Pain, Jennifer, Keith and Virginia welcome Delane Linkiewich, a passionate advocate and researcher living with chronic pain. Delane shares her personal journey and discusses her work developing peer support programs for youth with chronic pain. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating patient voices into research and care, reflecting Health Canada’s Ac...

In this special episode of Action on Pain, the hosts discuss the significance of National Pain Awareness Week (NPAW). As noted by Health Canada, NPAW is “a time to raise awareness of chronic pain, its impacts, and how implementing An Action Plan for Pain in Canada can improve equitable access to timely and evidence-based care and support for all people with pain.” Jennifer, Keith, and Virginia dis...

In this episode of Action on Pain, Jennifer, Keith and Virginia chat with Jacques Laliberté and Linda Wilhelm to discuss the progress and ongoing challenges of Canada’s Action Plan for Pain. The guests share insights from their work with the Canadian Pain Task Force, highlighting the importance of collaboration, patient-centered care, and equitable access to pain management. The conversation explo...

In this episode of Action on Pain, Keith and Jennifer speak with Dr. Mike Hildebrand, a leading pain researcher at Carleton University, about innovative approaches to understanding and treating chronic pain in Canada. Dr. Hildebrand discusses his lab’s groundbreaking work with human spinal tissue, collaborative research with patient partners, and creative animal models. The episode highlights the...

In this episode of Action on Pain, Keith, Jennifer, and Virginia speak with Dr. Nader Ghasemlou from Queen’s University about the future of chronic pain research in Canada. Dr. Ghasemlou shares how patient experiences are shaping his lab’s innovative approach, bridging basic science and clinical care. The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration, patient involvement, and increased inv...

In this week's episode of Action on Pain, Keith, Jennifer, and Virginia welcome Dr. Gabrielle Pagé to discuss advances in chronic pain care in Canada. Dr. Pagé shares insights on patient-centered research, the impact of stress on pain, and the importance of interdisciplinary care. The conversation highlights challenges in access, the role of psychological support, and the need to reduce stigma...