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Pain Management Program
The Pain Management Program is an out patient assessment and treatment program offered by physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, physicians, and pharmacists for workers with complex pain issues.Description of services
All workers undergo a multidisciplinary Pain and Medication Management Assessment to provide treatment recommendations. These recommendations may result in a treatment plan for services in the Pain Management Program. Treatment services may include:- Pain Management Modules (a daily group education and activation program)
- Customized services (individual session with team members as needed)
- RTW planning and monitoring
- Post-discharge follow-up
- Education and training in pain and stress management
- Psychological counselling
- Exercise, real and/or simulated work activities
- Assessment and management of appropriate medication for pain management
- Tapering or elimination of opioid and hypnotic-sedative medication if indicated
- Return-to-work planning and support as required. This may include job site visits when approved by the WorkSafeBC officer.
Admission criteria
The program is designed for workers who require assessment and/or management of their complex pain issues such as:- significant psychosocial issues such as depression which are beyond the resources of an Occupational Rehabilitation 2 (OR2) Program;
- strong disability belief;
- a need for management of pain medication (opioid and sedative/hypnotic);or
- workers with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) that requires a multidisciplinary program and who are not appropriate for the Sympathetically-mediated Pain Rehabilitation Services (SPRS) pilot
Workers do not need to meet the policy definition of chronic pain (PDF 401kb) (Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual policy #22.35) in order to be appropriate for participation in a Pain Management Program
The program is not appropriate for workers who:
- Are experiencing medical issues which contraindicate participation in the program
Length of service
Pain and Medication Management Assessment: maximum of two days.
Pain Management Modules: maximum of two modules each of 15 business days.
Customized Services: maximum of three blocks of service each up to four weeks
RTW Planning and Monitoring: maximum of six weeks
Post Discharge Follow-up: maximum of once a month for one year. Each follow up may be either one or two days.
The program length is customized for each worker to a maximum of 18 weeks. Workers attending the Pain Management Modules typically attend the program six hours per day, five days per week. There maybe exceptions to attendance requirements based on the individual's needs.
Service locations
Pain Management Programs are offered at WorkSafeBC-approved clinics throughout B.C. and Alberta.
Referral process
Workers are referred to the program by a WorkSafeBC officer. Attending physicians can recommend the program by communicating this to the WorkSafeBC officer verbally or through a Form 11. All referrals must be processed by registration representatives in Provider Referrals.
Inquiries
For program inquiries please call Health Care Services at 604 232-7787 or toll-free at 1 866 244-6404. Or visit the Pain Management Program contact details page for further information.