Changepain

Academic Hub

With the priority to improve practiced based evidence and data, we launched a research unit at changepain after receiving funding supports for a project lead through the SSC Surgical Patient Optimization Collaborative and funding supports for a research coordinator through the Veterans Affairs of Canada when we were identified as one of the national Pain Centres of Excellence.  We were also fortunate to receive a research grant with UBC Department of Anesthesiology via the SPOR Chronic pain initiative.     

Our research projects and multitude of quality improvement endeavours focused on reducing system barriers to access, improving clinical effectiveness of treatments and innovating models of care, epidemiology of pain patients in the community and reviewing active practice innovations in pain care.  

One such innovation outcome was an established 20-week prehabilitation program that led to 10% of our study patients cancelling unneeded surgeries. 

Since SPOC funding stopped in 2022 and our perioperative study for SPOR Chronic Pain was completed, we continue with active research with the primary support of the Veterans Affairs of Canada.  

Recent works and publications

These are recent works and publications since 2020 include:

  • Transition to Virtual Care Services during COVID-19 at Canadian Pain Clinics:  Survey and Future recommendations
  • Surgical Prehabilitation on Chronic Pain Patients in the community: A 20-week clinical trial based on 7 critical components based on the SPOC Strategy
  • Study of the activation, compliance and challenges of patients undergoing the Surgical Patient Optimization Collaborative (SPOC) initiative.
  • Considerations for Ketamine in the Effective Management of Chronic Pain for Veterans-systematic review
    • Macdonald Franklin OSI Research Centre and Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic
  • Transition to Virtual Care Services During COVID-1 at Canadian Pain Clinics: Survey and Future Recommendations
  • Migration of online Services in a Community-based pain clinic catalyzed by the COVID -19 pandemic.
  • Frequency and characteristics of patient exclusion criteria in Canadian multi-disciplinary pain treatment facilities: a cross sectional study
  • Peri-operative Rehabilitation for Chronic Pain Patients Using Online Approach at a community Based Clinic
  • Accessing care in multidisciplinary pain treatment facilities continues to be a challenge in Canada
More Research
Evaluation of Community Pain Clinic Infrastructure

This project aims to evaluate community-based pain clinic infrastructure that influences the care experience for Veterans living with chronic pain. CPCoE recognizes the important role that community-based pain clinics play in the lives of Veterans. Changepain Medical & Allied Health Clinic, a community-based pain clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia, is undertaking this research to evaluate community-based clinic infrastructure, resources, and processes, and the impact they have on overall patient satisfaction. Findings will be used to optimize the care experience for Veterans at community-based pain clinics across Canada.  

This research is being conducted with the sponsorship of the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans. 

To meet the rigourous accreditation standards of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC Pain Clinic, we continuously work to apply the latest in science in medicine, nutrition, movement, brain health and relationships. 

Surgical Patient Optimization Collaborative (SPOC)

changepain (CPC), along with 13 other healthcare facilities, are part of the SPOC program. We studied patients’ current health through 7 main components, including sleep apnea, frailty, physical activity, mental health, nutrition, smoking, and pain. Then based on the results, we will suggest interventions to improve patients’ health prior to operation (pre-operation program). A post-operation program is also offered to empower patients to return to their normal lives sooner through strategies and resources.  The quality improvement effort is being conducted with an operational grant from Doctors of BC through the Specialist Services Committee (SSC)   

Resources: 

  1. General information about the program – SPOC Services Information.
  2. BC Surgical Rehabilitation Toolkit
UBC SPOC

UBC surgical patient outcome collaborative (SPOC) study was a 20-Week program that combined both virtual and on-site interventions that include pain procedures (i.e., Trigger point injections, ultrasound-guided injections). Potential participants will be screened for their eligibility and their baseline performances. Then, they will receive an individualized treatment plan designed by a team of multidisciplinary professionals with the goal to relief pain and improve people’s overall quality of life prior to their surgery. Patient’s information will be ethically collected, using the electron medical record (EMR) system, and analyzed for the development of a prehabilitation protocol.

This research was being conducted with sponsorship of the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) through the Chronic Pain Network and the University of British Colombia.   

changepain patients complete surveys over time.  We use this data to: 

  • Track your progress 
  • Better understand what works best for whom and how 

Want to learn more?

NEWS / UPDATES

May 2024 GMV Updates

Upcoming Series Thurs. May 2 @ 1:30 pm | Empowering (8-part series) | Dr. Issy & Sarah Jamieson Thurs. May…

Chronic Pain Recovery Study Recruitment

Are you “doing better” or “living well with pain”? Would you be willing to share your story? Sarah Jamieson from…

April 2024 GMV Updates

New Classes Living with Complex Chronic Disease – 12-part series Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler This 12-week group creates a balance of…

March 2024 GMV Updates

New Classes Mitochondrial Bootcamp – 4-part series Dr. Alexandra Perel-Winkler This 4-week series is focused on optimizing light/circadian rhythm, supporting…

Cost of Initial Assessments - Non-MSP Medical


Private Medical Consultation (PMC) Multidisciplinary Private Assessment (MDPA)
Description Expedited, focused assessment to determine fit for non-MSP covered services requested:
IV Lidocaine Infusion, Ketamine Therapies, Prolotherapy, BOTOX, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).
Comprehensive functional and medical assessment with a multidisciplinary report addressing the biopsychosocial issues identified.
Care Team Pain Specialist Pain Specialist
Functional Movement Specialist
Duration 30 minutes 2 hours
Cost $450.00 $3,500.00

This will close in 0 seconds

Cost of Initial Assessments - Allied Health


Assessment Duration Cost
Chiropractic Initial 60 minutes $165.00
Physiotherapy Initial 60 minutes $160.00
Kinesiology Initial 45 minutes $90.00 (+ tax)
Counselling Initial 90 minutes $250.00
Acupuncture Initial 45 minutes $140.00
Ketamine Counselling Initial for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy 60 minutes $250.00

This will close in 0 seconds