Surviving Chronic Pain and Finding Hope Beyond Opioids with Graham Lord

Turning the Tide with Canada’s First Pain Portal - Dr. Patricia Poulin and Dr. Yaadwinder Shergil

In this episode of Action On Pain, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer welcome Doctors Patricia Poulin and Yaadwinder Shergill, co-leads behind Canada's first comprehensive chronic pain management portal — "Power Over Pain". The guests share how the portal was developed, from identifying gaps in pain care access to securing funding through Health Canada. Built on a stepped care model, the portal offers free, evidence-based resources including workshops, self-management tools, and peer support — helping Canadians navigate chronic pain while reducing wait times for specialized care. – Links for this episode: Follow Dr. Patricia Poulin: Ottawa Hospital Research Institute - https://ohri.ca/en/find-researcher/patricia-poulin [https://ohri.ca/en/find-researcher/patricia-poulin] University of Ottawa - https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-medicine/directory/dr-patricia-poulin [https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-medicine/directory/dr-patricia-poulin] Follow Dr. Yaadwinder Shergil: Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation - https://canadianchiropracticresearchfoundation.ca/members/dr-yaad-shergill/ [https://canadianchiropracticresearchfoundation.ca/members/dr-yaad-shergill/] LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/yaad-shergill-37a2b842 [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/yaad-shergill-37a2b842] Follow Action On Pain: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/ [https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/] Follow Virginia: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/ Website - www.pipain.com [http://www.pipain.com] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/ [https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/] Follow Jennifer: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# [https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/]  Follow Keith: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/]     https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain [https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/ [https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/] Website - https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD [https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD] Follow Chronic Pain Network LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all] Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc [https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc] The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the https://cpn-rdc.ca/Chronic Pain Network [https://cpn-rdc.ca/], a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

Surviving Chronic Pain and Finding Hope Beyond Opioids with Graham Lord

In this episode of Action On Pain, podcast, Keith, Jennifer, and Virginia welcome Graham Lord, a Toronto-based advocate living with chronic pain following a devastating 2002 motorcycle accident. Graham candidly shares his 17-year journey with high-dose opioid treatment, the challenges of inadequate early care, and his path to recovery through a transitional pain program. His story highlights the critical importance of timely, compassionate, and coordinated pain management. Graham's message of acceptance and resilience offers hope to others navigating chronic pain, while providing valuable insights for healthcare professionals. – Links for this episode: Best Brains Exchange - https://cpcrn-rcrsp.ca/best-brains-exchange-team-based-primary-care-learning-how-to-evaluate-the-outcomes-and-implementation-of-team-based-care/ [https://cpcrn-rcrsp.ca/best-brains-exchange-team-based-primary-care-learning-how-to-evaluate-the-outcomes-and-implementation-of-team-based-care/] Hance Clarke's Transitional Pain Program - https://www.transitionalpainservice.ca/team/hance-clarke [https://www.transitionalpainservice.ca/team/hance-clarke] Follow Action On Pain: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/ [https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/] Follow Virginia: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/ Website - www.pipain.com [http://www.pipain.com/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/ [https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/] Follow Jennifer: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# [https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/]  Follow Keith: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/]    https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain [https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/ [https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/] Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD [https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD] Follow Chronic Pain Network LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc [https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc] The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network [https://cpn-rdc.ca/], a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

Nurses at the Forefront of Chronic Pain Solutions with Dr. Kim Leblanc

In this week's episode of Action on Pain, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer speak with Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc, president of the Canadian Nurses Association, about the vital role of nurses in chronic pain management. The discussion covers the importance of patient-centred care, equitable access, nursing education, and advocacy for marginalized groups. Dr. LeBlanc emphasizes listening to patients, addressing inequities, and the need for ongoing research. The episode highlights collaborative, holistic approaches to pain care in Canada, guided by Health Canada’s Action Plan for Pain, and encourages continued dialogue and support for those living with chronic pain. – Links for this episode: Follow Dr. Kim Leblanc: Canadian Nurses Association - https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/about-us/our-leadership/board-of-directors/kimberly-leblanc [https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/about-us/our-leadership/board-of-directors/kimberly-leblanc] LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyleblancapn [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyleblancapn] Follow Action On Pain: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/ [https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/] Follow Virginia: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/ Website - www.pipain.com [http://www.pipain.com] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/ [https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/] Follow Jennifer: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# [https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/]  Follow Keith: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/]   https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain [https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/ [https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/] Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD [https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD] Follow Chronic Pain Network LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc [https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc] The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network [https://cpn-rdc.ca/], a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

Mentorship in Medicine with Dr. Arun Radhakrishnan

In this week's episode of Action On Pain, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer welcome Dr. Arun Radhakrishnan, a family physician specializing in chronic non-cancer pain. Dr. Radhakrishnan shares his work building mentorship networks across Canada, designed to help healthcare providers improve their knowledge, confidence, and compassionate care skills. The conversation explores how digital health tools have transformed mentorship by making it more flexible and accessible, particularly for clinicians in rural areas. Dr. Radhakrishnan also highlights how these networks support clinician well-being, helping reduce burnout — ultimately benefiting patients living with chronic pain. – Links for this episode: Follow Dr. Arun Radhakrishnan: Bruyére Health - https://www.bruyere.org/en/research-arun-radhakrishnan [https://www.bruyere.org/en/research-arun-radhakrishnan] Centre for Effective Practice - https://cep.health/insights/meet-arun-radhakrishnan-one-of-our-clinical-leads/ [https://cep.health/insights/meet-arun-radhakrishnan-one-of-our-clinical-leads/] LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/arun-k-radhakrishnan [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/arun-k-radhakrishnan] Follow Action On Pain: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/ [https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/] Follow Virginia: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/ Website - www.pipain.com [http://www.pipain.com] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/ [https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/] Follow Jennifer: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# [https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/]  Follow Keith: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/]     https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain [https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/ [https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/] Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD [https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD] Follow Chronic Pain Network LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc [https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc] The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the https://cpn-rdc.ca/Chronic Pain Network [https://cpn-rdc.ca/], a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

MPaCT: The Pain Scale Reinvented by Patients with Linda Wilhelm and Delane Linkiewich

In this episode of Action on Pain, Jennifer, Keith, and Virginia speak with guests Linda Wilhelm and Delane Linkiewich about a newly developed tool called "My Pain Assessment and Communication Tool: MPaCT". Created collaboratively by people living with chronic pain, the tool moves beyond the traditional 0-to-10 pain scale to capture the full physical, emotional, and social impact of pain. Featuring a body map, descriptive pain language, and open-text fields, MPaCT aims to improve communication between patients and healthcare providers, ultimately supporting more personalized, patient-centred chronic pain care across Canada and beyond. – Links for this episode: Follow Delane Linkiewich: Research - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Delane-Linkiewich [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Delane-Linkiewich] X - https://x.com/delanelinkie [https://x.com/delanelinkie] LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/linda-wilhelm-a59555a [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/linda-wilhelm-a59555a] Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance - https://arthritispatient.ca/en/steering-committee/ [https://arthritispatient.ca/en/steering-committee/] Follow Action On Pain: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/ [https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/] Follow Virginia: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/ Website - www.pipain.com [http://www.pipain.com] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/ [https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/] Follow Jennifer: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/# [https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/]  Follow Keith: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/]     https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain [https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/ [https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/] Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD [https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD] Follow Chronic Pain Network LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc [https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc] The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the https://cpn-rdc.ca/Chronic Pain Network [https://cpn-rdc.ca/], a national research and knowledge mobilization network.