Action On Pain

Nearly 8 million Canadians live with chronic pain—and one in five children experiences ongoing pain, too. In this National Pain Awareness Week episode, Jennifer, Keith and Virginia chat with four of the key voices in pain management in Canada. Pain BC/Pain Canada CEO Maria Hudspith explains why raising awareness must also challenge the disbelief and stigma people face. Dr. Alex Neville of Solutions for Kids in Pain shares how a new national pediatric pain standard is being put into practice, while Dr. Norm Buckley describes tools connecting people with pain to researchers and tracking Canadian pain research. Dr. Tanya Di Renna introduces the Canadian Pain Society’s Polka Dots for Pain campaign, turning an invisible experience into a visible prompt for conversation.

Transcription française ici:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mqHbDQqo5DOgHvRGBSXFojTpHjA4hGdnoQvAgdbN7fU/edit?usp=sharing

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Links for this episode:

Pain Canada

https://www.paincanada.ca/

Chronic Pain Network

https://cpn-rdc.ca/

Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP)

https://kidsinpain.ca/

Canadian Pain Society

https://www.canadianpainsociety.ca/

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# 

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website - https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

What if the way we manage a child’s pain today could shape their health for years to come? This week, we welcome Dr. Deepa Kattail, a pediatric anesthesiologist and pain physician at The Hospital for Sick Children, known as SickKids. SickKids is a leading Canadian pediatric hospital dedicated to improving children’s health through specialized care, research, and education.

Dr. Kattail explores latest research and highlights the gap between what we know and what happens in clinical practice. There is a huge challenge of implementing effective pain management strategies across all healthcare settings, and the long-term impact of childhood pain reflects in everything from families to education.

Discover how better pain management can help prevent acute pain in children from developing into chronic pain, while reducing medical trauma through simple strategies that make hospital visits and procedures less frightening.

Transcription française ici:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19G4ADR0E_0wLWaK1i1MFTxJYGtcbGxIm-flnpbn8n28/edit?usp=sharing

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Links for this episode:

Follow Dr. Deepa Kattail:

Sick Kids - https://www.sickkids.ca/en/staff/k/deepa-kattail/

University of Toronto - https://anesthesia.utoronto.ca/faculty/deepa-kattail

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/deepakattail/

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/deepakattail

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# 

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website - https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

What if changes in behaviour are actually signs of pain that aren't being recognized? On this episode of Action on Pain, we welcome Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos and Mary Brohanitz to explore the challenges of identifying and managing pain in older adults living with dementia or cognitive decline.

From recognizing non-verbal signs of pain to using assessment tools like PACSLAC-II, the conversation highlights how caregivers and healthcare professionals can better identify pain, improve treatment, and avoid misinterpreting distress as behavioural or psychiatric issues. They also discuss the importance of regular pain assessments, collaboration between care teams, and the need for better pain management policies and resources in long-term care.

By combining research expertise with lived experience, this episode explores practical ways to ensure older adults receive the compassionate, appropriate pain care they deserve.

Transcription française ici:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lqUcH4Kg-4fZ3vrx-N8njqBQTEaoX-5dmrmxNYplrk0/edit?usp=sharing

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Links for this episode:

Follow Mary Brachanied

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-brachaniec-519a69386/

Follow Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashadjistavropoulos/

Pain in demention patients reserch:

https://www.uregina.ca/arts/psychology/directory/faculty/hadjistavropoulos-t.html

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# 

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website - https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

Dr. Dawn Richards came to patient engagement by an unexpected route: she was an analytical chemist before rheumatoid arthritis reshaped her perspective on research. Now she draws on both her scientific training and lived experience to help researchers work meaningfully with patient partners. In this episode of Action on Pain, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer chat with Dawn about why patient partners’ contributions should be recognized through fair compensation and authorship—and why researchers may need practical support to involve them. She also challenges the idea that people with lived experience bring only their diagnosis to the table, highlighting the skills and perspectives they carry from across their lives.

Transcription française ici:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r-9e3Dpo5oqk_ICkbZXIE1EYSlky4fXxxmKxuoH3RVQ/edit?usp=sharing

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Links for this episode:

Follow Dr. Dawn Richards:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-richards-4250641/

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# 

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website - https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In this week's episode of Action On Pain, hosts Jennifer, Virginia, and Keith speak with Neil Pearson — physiotherapist, UBC clinical assistant professor, and pain management yoga therapist. Neil shares his journey from questioning outdated pain models to integrating yoga therapy with modern pain science. He discusses his current work supporting veterans with complex chronic pain through interdisciplinary care, the importance of early intervention, and why truly believing patients' experiences is fundamental to effective treatment. A thoughtful and inspiring conversation for anyone navigating chronic pain.

Transcription française ici:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oWShkziqzuPDj6MSA-pFkb48CeXOZvBRvyNK_rVoDMc/edit?usp=sharing

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Links for this episode:

Follow Neal Pearson:

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/neilpearson-paincareu

Research - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Neil-Pearson-4

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# 

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website - https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In this episode of the Action On Pain podcast, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer welcome Dr. Melanie Noel, a pediatric pain scientist and clinical psychologist from the University of Calgary. Dr. Noel shares her research on how childhood pain experiences and trauma shape chronic pain in adulthood. The conversation explores trauma-informed care, the power of language, and the importance of empathy in healthcare settings. Dr. Noel also connects her work to Health Canada's Action Plan for Pain, emphasizing that meaningful change requires compassion from clinicians, families, and communities alike.

Transcription française ici:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_JW_DHymewqPFu0toG5oPVyyRvtB_auDT3o37dyYRy8/edit?usp=sharing

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Links for this episode:

Follow Dr. Melanie Noel:

University of Calgary - https://profiles.ucalgary.ca/melanie-noel

Research - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Melanie-Noel/2

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/melanie-noel-phd-rpsych-b145b894

X - https://x.com/MelanieNoel

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# 

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website - https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

Season two of the Action On Pain podcast kicks off with an insightful conversation featuring Brandon Van Dam and Dr. Norm Buckley from the Chronic Pain Network (CPN). They discuss CPN's strategic priorities, including patient engagement, multi-site clinical trials, community-based pain care, and knowledge mobilization for policymakers. A highlight is Pain Connect, a platform linking researchers with people living with chronic pain to support meaningful collaboration. Throughout the episode, the importance of authentically centering lived experience in research is emphasized. This episode offers valuable insight into Canada's coordinated efforts to improve pain research, education, and care.

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Links for this episode:

Follow Chronic Pain Network:

Website - https://cpn-rdc.ca/

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# 

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website - https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In this week's episode of Action on Pain, we revisit our conversation 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. The conversation explores CPS’s inclusive approach, measurable goals, and vision for global leadership in pain care. Listeners gain insight into upcoming initiatives, including the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, and are encouraged to stay connected for updates and resources.

Please note that there were a number of acronyms used during the course of this interview and we thought it would be helpful to the listeners include an explanation for each of these:

CPS: Canadian Pain Society

PWLE: People with Lived Experience

CPN: Chronic Pain Network

CPCoE: Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans

SKIP: Solutions for Kids in Pain

CIHR: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

TAPMI: Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute

Transcription française ici:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oxUe5V011IvEvukwoHcOoE1o6Gd17BW1H2WbROHHbDg/edit?usp=sharing

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Links for this episode:

Follow Dr. Hance Clarke:

Website - https://www.drhanceclarke.com/about

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/hance-clarke-b4368890

UofT - https://anesthesia.utoronto.ca/faculty/hance-clarke

Google Scholar - https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=VvzqlXoAAAAJ&hl=en

Follow Dr. Tania Di Renna:

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/tania-di-renna-a980402a5

UofT - https://anesthesia.utoronto.ca/faculty/tania-di-renna

ResearchGate - https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Tania-Di-Renna-2150144451

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# 

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In this week's episode, Virginia, Jennifer, and Keith revisit their conversation 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 professionals. The episode highlights ongoing efforts to reduce stigma, improve teamwork, and involve people with lived experience, offering hope for more compassionate and effective pain management nationwide.

Transcription française ici:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eYeNf6MDm5TLQBICvAKCknZhPKiZcBWIQmnaAXhz6Ts/edit?usp=sharing

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Links for this episode:

Follow Tori Etheridge:

Canadian Physiotherapy Association: ttps://physiotherapy.ca/divisions/pain-science/pain-science-executive/

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/tori-etheridge-a45449133

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# 

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

   https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In today's episode of Action on Pain, Jennifer, Keith, and Virginia revisit their conversation with 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 knowledge sharing to improve pain management for children and families.

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Links for this episode:

Follow Dr. Christine Chambers:

Website - https://www.drcchambers.ca/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcchambers

Solutions for Kids In Pain (SKIP) - https://kidsinpain.ca/

It Doesn't Have to Hurt - https://itdoesnthavetohurt.ca/

Dalhousie University - https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/psychology_neuroscience/faculty-staff/our-faculty/christine-chambers.html

Twitter - https://twitter.com/DrCChambers

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# 

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

  https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.