Description of Service
Pain Services deliver comprehensive, high quality, client-centered care through a unified interdisciplinary team – collaborating with primary care providers to serve the needs of those living with persistent pain in Grande Prairie, Fairview, Grimshaw and area.
What We Do
- Improve timely access to comprehensive persistent pain management services
- Provide a short-term self-management program, with an interdisciplinary team approach, lasting approximately 6 months for most patients
- Offer a collaborative approach to pain management
- Provide education regarding persistent pain conditions
- Address biopsychosocial factors impacting pain
- Teach persons living with persistent pain self-management strategies
- Work with clients to develop a flare-up plan with a goal of improving self-efficacy and reducing frequency of need to access Primary Care Provider for management of future pain flare-ups
- Offer pain medication support
- Manage pain medications while the patient is under the care Pain Services (by NP) OR
- Provide pain medication recommendations to the referring physician
- Refer patients to virtual pain education options (e.g FibroFocus)
- Provide referral to visiting pain specialist and follow up as required
Referral Process & Referral Requirements
Family Physician
- Refer person with persistent pain to Pain Services
- Continue to treat issues outside of persistent pain
- Will receive updates on client progress within the program
- May reach out to Pain Services for supports, information, or additional patient updates as needed
Pain Services Referral Requirements
- Patient current age of 18 years or older
- Presence of non-malignant pain persisting greater than 3 months, causing significant distress or disability
- Diagnosis of persistent pain
- Please ensure the patient is aware of the diagnoses included on their referral form as this may be reviewed with them in screening and assessment
- Medically stable
- Patient is able to self-regulate and self-manage Pain Services treatment and commitment
- PCN Physician agrees to maintain primary physician responsibility for the patient for the duration of their time with Pain Services
- Patient readiness: patient is interested in seeking support for pain management
- Willingness and ability to participate in a self-management program
- Download GP PCN Central Team Referral Form HERE
Pain Services Referral Exclusions
- Active WCB claim
- Active Addictions, problematic substance use
- Presence of psychiatric or psychological co-morbidities that present a barrier to self-management or to participation in program activities
- Pain less than 3 months
- Upcoming/pending surgery, within 6months, related to pain problem
- Surgery within the past 3 months related to the pain problem, within the past 4 months for an affected joint, or 12 months for back or neck
Referrals to Pain Services are accepted from PCN physicians...
Pain resources for physicians.
Meet the interprofessional team behind the Persistent Pain Program.
