Persistent pain affects about 20% of the Canadian population and can lead to physical, psychological and social vulnerabilities. In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily living and health care systems, the situation of people with chronic pain has drawn little public attention. The pandemic has led to intensifying or making visible, the pre-existing socio-economic and systemic inequalities.
goal
Lise Dassieu and her team therefore aimed to understand the daily experience of people living with persistent pain in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, including their experience of pain and pain management, their psychological state, the impact on their social life and their socio-economic status.
methodology
The qualitative component was explored, where the patient perspective and experience is under investigation, in a joint pan-Canadian study on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on people living with persistent pain (‘Chronic Pain & COVID19 pan-Canadian Study’). The qualitative aspect consisted of conducting in-depth interviews with 22 individuals living with persistent pain in six Canadian provinces. The interviews were conducted during the first wave of the pandemic (May-August 2020). In order to capture a diversity of perspectives, participants of all ages, women and men, as well as gender minorities were recruited, along with people who self-identified as members of a racial minority or Indigenous people.
main findings
The results highlighted four key components of the persistent pain experience during the pandemic:
(1) Increased vulnerability due to uncertainties associated to pain and pain management;
(2) Access to a social network (friends, family) has an influence on physical pain and the psychological well-being;
(3) Increasing systemic inequalities (socioeconomic, gender and racial) intersect with the challenges associated with persistent pain;
(4) More viable living conditions due to the confinement measures, resulting in positive effects for some participants with persistent pain.
Although many participants reported improved quality of life and reduced social pressure in the context of confinement measures, people from low socioeconomic and minority groups reported greater difficulty in managing their pain and accessing health, psychological and social support services.
take home message
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and intensified pre-existing inequalities and challenges experienced by people living with persistent pain (material resources, mental health, social support and access to care). Going forward, it is essential to address flaws in the health and welfare policies to foster equity and social inclusiveness of Canadians with persistent pain.
