Patient Resources
This section features a curated collection of materials that healthcare providers can share with their patients. It covers such topics as the safe use of opioids, how to dispose of excess pills, and how to help patients set realistic expectations around pain following surgery. These materials are predominantly focused on acute pain related to surgery however, as SolvingPain evolves, this section will grow to cover other forms of pain. If you have any suggested materials for this section, please contact us.
Getting Started
The goal of pain management is to:
Minimize pain (but some discomfort may still be experienced)
Keep the patient moving
Help the patient heal
Pain management plans are customized for each patient based on:
Surgery type
Pain history
Current medication
Other relevant factors
The first of the following two charts aims to educate patients on how medication (both opioids and non-opioids) and non-medication therapies both have a role to play when it comes to coping with pain, while the second chart strives to help patients assess how best to manage their pain.
Click the above image to see a full-size version of the charts.
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Materials for Patient
Coping With Postoperative Pain
North York General Hospital’s Pain Management After Surgery Info Sheet (PDF from North York General Hospital)
Coping With Chronic Pain
PainCanada.ca’s Resources For People Living with Pain (A collection of guidelines, courses, support groups & more)
Using Opioids for Short-Term Pain Relief
Opioids for Short-Term Pain: Your Questions Answered (PDF from ISMP Canada)
Opioid Pain Medicines Information for Patients and Families (PDF from ISMP Canada)
Question Opioids (Short video series from ISMP Canada)
What We Need to Understand About Opioids | Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter (Podcast episode)
Safely Using and Disposing of Opioids
Safe Storage and Disposal (Video from ISMP Canada)
Proper Medication Storage & Disposal (PDF from ISMP Canada)
Concerned About Your Opioid Usage?
Problematic Opioid Use (Fact sheet from Health Canada)
Materials for Specific Surgeries
Managing Pain After Dental Care (PDF from Michigan Open)
Pain Management After Your Hip/Knee Replacement Surgery (PDF from North York General Hospital)
Helpful Websites for Patients
A Guide to Ontario’s Chronic Pain Clinics: How and where to get treatment for pain that lasts longer than three months
Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute (TAPMI): A comprehensive, interdisciplinary academic pain program that serves as the hub for chronic pain care in Toronto
Manage My Pain: A made-in-Canada app to track and manage your pain
Ontario Physiotherapy Association: Find a physiotherapist near you
Stanford Health Care’s Guide to Pain: Learn about the basics of managing pain