Pain Management Program

Interdisciplinary, time limited, goal oriented approach to enable clients with chronic pain to enhance their ability to function in all aspects of their lives. Clients participate in assessments, individual and group education and therapy sessions which focus on maintaining and or improving physical, psychological, behavioural, recreational, and vocational skills.

Target Group

Must be over the age of 15. Most responsible medical diagnosis is: “Chronic Pain Syndromes” Clients with complaints of enduring pain in the neck, back or extremity that has not responded to previous medical and/or surgical treatment and which interfere with the persons' physical, psychological, social and/or vocational functioning. These clients may have pain, which is organic/non-organic in nature. Chronic pain syndrome is a collection of symptoms including chronic pain of various etiologies reduced function and psychosocial problems, which have persisted longer than six months. Functional limitations are greater than what would normally be expected for age, and there is no acute illness that limits function.

Functional Level Required of Clients

Inpatients and day clients will have sufficient endurance to be able to participate in at least 5 hours of therapy/ day, a maximum of 5 days per week from the interdisciplinary team, for a duration of 6 weeks. Clients have regular medical input from a specialist, or family physician. Client commitment:

Full co-operation and commitment from the client is crucial. The client must be in agreement with the service "client/team contract" encompassing the following:

• Abandoning chronic pain related behaviours.
• Incorporating treatment into daily life ensuring as high a degree of normal functioning as possible.
• Appropriate use of medications; cessation of pain related drug abuse.
• Agreement to full participation in all components of the plan.
• The focus of programming as pain management and improved function rather than elimination of pain.

Functional Status

• Medical: Considered medically stable. Have regular direct contact with the referring physician.
• Self-care: May range in function from being totally independent to requiring minimal assist/supervision.
• Mobility: Independently mobile with or without the use of assistive devises.
• Cognitive: Must have the cognitive and perceptual ability to participate and understand reasonable rehabilitation goals.

Exclusionary Criteria

Clients not considered for admission to the program include those individuals:

• Considered medically unstable, with acute mental illness, or have active suicidal ideations.
• Not capable of or willing to agree to the terms outlined in the contract.

Referral Process

A referral from a physician within Northwestern Ontario, to Central Registration is required. The referring physician will indicate, primary diagnosis necessitating the admission as well as secondary relevant diagnosis, precautions, and medical history and specific therapeutic services.

Pre-Admission Assessment

Prior to admission, clients will be required to go through an orientation session, which may be conducted in person or on the phone. The client will then attend a pre-admission screen at a later date to determine suitability for the program.

Intake/ Triage Process

Clients referred for Pain Management may be prioritised based on receipt of referral. Clients' names will also be placed on the cancellation list at the request of the client.