Exploring Canadian Veterans’ priorities regarding chronic pain research: A qualitative study

Abstract

LAY SUMMARY In 2020, the Canadian Federal Government launched the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCoE). A higher proportion of Veterans experience chronic pain than the general population and the Centre wanted to understand what research topics Veterans thought the new Centre should prioritize. One-on-one interviews were conducted with 11 Canadian Veterans living with chronic pain from five provinces. Eight priority areas for future research were determined: 1) pain care in the military, 2) postoperative care in the military, 3) coordination of services through Veterans Affairs Canada, 4) military-to-civilian transition, 5) primary care provider access outside the military, 6) knowledge of pain management among civilian health care providers, 7) engaging Veterans as partners in their care, and 8) identifying effective strategies for chronic pain management. These findings will help guide research efforts of the new CPCoE.