What I wish my doctor knew: The lived experience of chronic pain delivery in Prince Edward Island, Canada
Description
Chronic pain (CP) affects approximately one in five Canadians and poses substantial physical, emotional, and economic burdens. In Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada’s smallest province, CP care is shaped by unique challenges related to population growth, physician shortages, and regional healthcare disparities. This mixed-methods, cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the experiences of PEI residents living with CP and identify opportunities for improving care delivery in under-resourced settings. A total of 351 adult respondents completed an anonymous web-based survey from February to April 2024. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and non-parametric statistical methods, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke’s framework. Most respondents reported high pain intensity and disability (median Graded Chronic Pain Scale: Grade III). Subgroups identifying as female, disabled, or BIPOC experienced significantly greater pain-related burden. Despite widespread use of multimodal therapies, wait times for CP care were prolonged, with many respondents relying on family physicians or nurse practitioners for management; however, those without consistent providers experienced significantly greater pain and disability. Opioid use was common but appeared to be inconsistently guided by best-practice counselling. Thematic analysis revealed pervasive feelings of dismissal, systemic fragmentation, and barriers to accessing specialist services. However, positive care experiences were linked to empathetic communication, collaborative planning, and personalized support. Key recommendations include expanding multidisciplinary care, improving opioid prescribing practices, enhancing provider communication, and establishing peer support networks. These findings underscore the need for coordinated, patient-centered reform in CP management within PEI and may inform similar strategies in other under-resourced jurisdictions.
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Institutions
- University of Toronto