Extension for community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) chronic pain & opioid stewardship in northwestern Ontario: A thematic analysis of patient cases

Patricia A. Poulin, St Joseph’s Care Group, Project ECHO Chronic Pain & Opioid Stewardship, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Yaadwinder Shergill, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada;e Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Adrian Grebowicz, linical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada;e Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Ines Almeida, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, ISCTE – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Rosemee Cantave, linical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada;e Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Bryan MacLeod, St Joseph’s Care Group, Project ECHO Chronic Pain & Opioid Stewardship, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada;h St. Joseph’s Care Group, Chronic Pain Management Program, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
Donna Garstin, St Joseph’s Care Group, Project ECHO Chronic Pain & Opioid Stewardship, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
Sarah F. Fitzgerald, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Joshua A. Rash, School of Social Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Tim Larocque, St Joseph’s Care Group, Project ECHO Chronic Pain & Opioid Stewardship, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-28-2022

Abstract

Background

Chronic pain (CP) is a debilitating disease that reduces quality of life, decreases productivity, and has become a primary cause of health care resource consumption. Despite this, many Canadian family physicians have received little formal education in managing CP, making it one of the most challenging areas of practice in primary care. Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes Chronic Pain & Opioid Stewardship St. Joseph’s Care Group (Project ECHO-SJCG) is an evidence-based educational program connecting community-based health care providers (HCPs) with an interprofessional team by videoconference to learn about management of CP in rural, remote, and underserved areas.

Aims

To explore key learning points from cases presented at Project ECHO-SJCG, identify and analyze themes and improve future sessions of continuing professional development for HCPs.

Methods

We completed a thematic analysis of forty cases and key learning points using the constant comparison method. We also summarized descriptive statistics for patient and provider characteristics.

Results

Forty cases were presented by 31 HCPs, who received suggestions focused on assessment and diagnosis, pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain symptom management, interventional management, attention to biopsychosocial factors, and appropriate referral to other HCPs.

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