Lise Dassieu1, M Gabrielle Pagé2,3,4, Anaïs Lacasse5, Maude Laflamme2,6, Vickie Perron7, Audrée Janelle-Montcalm2, Maria Hudspith7, Gregg Moor7, Kathryn Sutton7, James M Thompson8,9, Manon Choinière2,3. 1. Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Saint- Antoine Building, 850 Saint Denis St, H2X 0A9, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. lise.dassieu@umontreal.ca. 2. Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Saint- Antoine Building, 850 Saint Denis St, H2X 0A9, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 3. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, succursale Centre-ville, C.P. 6128, H3C 3J7, Montreal, Québec, Canada. 4. Faculty of Arts and Science, Department of Psychology, Pavillon Marie- Victorin, Université de Montréal, 90 avenue Vincent d'Indy, H2V 2S9, Montreal, Québec, Canada. 5. Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada. 6. Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Sociology, Université de Montréal, H3C 3J7, Montreal, Québec, Canada. 7. Pain BC Society, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 8. Department of Public Health Sciences, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 9. Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain affects about 20 % of the Canadian population and can lead to physical, psychological and social vulnerabilities. However, this condition remains poorly recognized and undertreated. During 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily living and health care systems, the situation of people with chronic pain has drawn little public attention. METHODS: This qualitative study was part of a pan-Canadian mixed-methods project and aimed to understand the experiences and challenges of people living with chronic pain during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Between May and August 2020, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 22 individuals living with chronic pain across the country. We used reflexive thematic analysis to interpret data. RESULTS: Our findings underscored four dimensions of the chronic pain experience during the pandemic: (1) Reinforced vulnerability due to uncertainties regarding pain and its management; (2) Social network as a determinant of pain and psychological condition; (3) Increasing systemic inequities intermingling with the chronic pain experience; (4) More viable living conditions due to confinement measures. Though several participants reported improvements in their quality of life and reduced social pressure in the context of stay-at-home orders, participants from socio-economically deprived groups and minorities reported more challenges in accessing pain relief, health care services, and psychosocial support. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and intensified pre-existing disparities and challenges among people living with chronic pain in terms of material resources, psychosocial condition, social support, and access to care. In post-pandemic times, it will be essential to address flaws in health and welfare policies to foster equity and social inclusiveness of people with chronic pain.
BACKGROUND:Chronic pain affects about 20 % of the Canadian population and can lead to physical, psychological and social vulnerabilities. However, this condition remains poorly recognized and undertreated. During 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily living and health care systems, the situation of people with chronic pain has drawn little public attention. METHODS: This qualitative study was part of a pan-Canadian mixed-methods project and aimed to understand the experiences and challenges of people living with chronic pain during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Between May and August 2020, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 22 individuals living with chronic pain across the country. We used reflexive thematic analysis to interpret data. RESULTS: Our findings underscored four dimensions of the chronic pain experience during the pandemic: (1) Reinforced vulnerability due to uncertainties regarding pain and its management; (2) Social network as a determinant of pain and psychological condition; (3) Increasing systemic inequities intermingling with the chronic pain experience; (4) More viable living conditions due to confinement measures. Though several participants reported improvements in their quality of life and reduced social pressure in the context of stay-at-home orders, participants from socio-economically deprived groups and minorities reported more challenges in accessing pain relief, health care services, and psychosocial support. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and intensified pre-existing disparities and challenges among people living with chronic pain in terms of material resources, psychosocial condition, social support, and access to care. In post-pandemic times, it will be essential to address flaws in health and welfare policies to foster equity and social inclusiveness of people with chronic pain.
Authors: J A Patel; F B H Nielsen; A A Badiani; S Assi; V A Unadkat; B Patel; R Ravindrane; H Wardle Journal: Public Health Date: 2020-05-14 Impact factor: 2.427
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Authors: M Gabrielle Pagé; Lise Dassieu; Élise Develay; Mathieu Roy; Étienne Vachon-Presseau; Sonia Lupien; Pierre Rainville Journal: Front Pain Res (Lausanne) Date: 2021-11-24
Authors: Seán R O'Connor; Charlene Treanor; Elizabeth Ward; Robin A Wickens; Abby O'Connell; Lucy A Culliford; Chris A Rogers; Eleanor A Gidman; Tunde Peto; Paul C Knox; Benjamin J L Burton; Andrew J Lotery; Sobha Sivaprasad; Barnaby C Reeves; Ruth E Hogg; Michael Donnelly Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-02 Impact factor: 4.614