Healing healthcare inequities in chronic pain: key considerations for the implementation of the Alberta Pain Strategy
Roughly one in five Canadians suffer from chronic pain. This creates a significant burden on the healthcare system and broader economy. It is well-established that access to interdisciplinary pain teams that provide evidence-based interventions can positively impact patient function and overall quality of life. Despite its centralized health system, Alberta has inconsistent pain strategies, care pathways, and outcome measures across the province. The Alberta Pain Strategy is a pan-organizational effort between the Pain Society of Alberta and Alberta Health Services to improve care for Albertans in pain, emphasizing healthcare equity. This study seeks to understand current factors that contribute to inequitable access to quality, effective chronic pain treatment and identify policy considerations for promoting healthcare equity for Albertans with chronic pain.
Nine key informants involved in the Alberta Pain Strategy were interviewed. Interview transcripts were coded using an inductive thematic approach. The data revealed that existing healthcare inequities involve an interplay of structural challenges within the health system that lead to inequitable distribution of healthcare resources and knowledge—particularly between urban and rural areas—and cultural barriers, including systemic racism and negative attitudes toward pain. In addition, participants provided valuable insights into ongoing and possible future efforts to address these inequities by advancing upstream solutions and capitalizing on policy windows. Such policies must be rooted in evidence, involve inter- and intra-level stakeholder communication, and emphasize a biopsychosocial approach to treating chronic pain.
About the author: Natasha Kornak graduated from the MPP program in 2021. Before entering the MPP program, Natasha completed a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences at Queen’s University. There, she studied biomedical sciences and health psychology, sociology, and introductory health policy. Passionate about quality improvement, public health, and evidence-based policy, Natasha was eager to study health policy in Dr. Jennifer Zwicker’s health policy course. She enjoyed the class so much that she sought out Dr. Zwicker as her capstone supervisor.
Natasha’s first exposure to the policy process occurred in 2016 when she began advocating for consent education and sexual violence prevention for Alberta students. Natasha has also channelled her passion for public policy in a professional capacity, working at multiple levels of government on a broad range of policy files and government communications. Having now completed the MPP program, Natasha hopes to continue making meaningful contributions to the policy process, particularly in health equity and healthcare innovation.
The author can be contacted at: http://linkedin.com/in/natashakornak/