Lynch Mary E, Williamson Owen D, Banfield Jillian C
Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Pain Management Unit, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Can J Pain. 2020 Sep 10;4(1):204-209. doi: 10.1080/24740527.2020.1783218.
: As the result of public health authority responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, pain clinics have had to cease providing in-person appointments to reduce contact between patients and staff. Over the past decade, Canadians living with chronic pain have faced long waiting times for care within multidisciplinary pain clinics. We are concerned that ceasing in-person pain services exacerbates the daily hardships already faced by Canadians living with chronic pain. : The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian pain clinics, their responses, and changes to clinic practices that might be maintained when the pandemic is over. : A survey of Canadian adult multidisciplinary pain clinics was conducted to determine impacts on medical and allied health care services and the strategies used to deliver care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. : Responses received from 17 adult pain clinics across Canada showed that adult multidisciplinary pain clinics had to cease or significantly reduce in-person patient contacts during the COVID-19 pandemic and responded by offering telehealth options. Despite their efforts, patients are waiting longer and have lost access to usual care. Increased levels of pain, stress, and medication use, particularly opioids and cannabinoids, were reported. : Access to adaptable and innovative technologies, such as telehealth, can assist in the care of the one in five Canadians living with chronic pain during times of crises and must be included as a vital component of a comprehensive Canadian pain strategy.
由于公共卫生当局对新冠疫情的应对措施，疼痛诊所不得不停止提供面对面预约服务，以减少患者与工作人员之间的接触。在过去十年中，患有慢性疼痛的加拿大人在多学科疼痛诊所面临着漫长的等待治疗时间。我们担心停止面对面疼痛服务会加剧患有慢性疼痛的加拿大人已经面临的日常困难。
本研究的目的是评估新冠疫情对加拿大疼痛诊所的影响、它们的应对措施以及疫情结束后可能会持续的诊所实践变化。
对加拿大成人多学科疼痛诊所进行了一项调查，以确定新冠疫情期间对医疗和联合医疗服务的影响以及为患者提供护理所采用的策略。
从加拿大各地17家成人疼痛诊所收到的回复表明，成人多学科疼痛诊所在新冠疫情期间不得不停止或大幅减少与患者的面对面接触，并通过提供远程医疗选项来应对。尽管他们做出了努力，但患者等待时间更长，并且无法获得常规护理。报告显示疼痛、压力和药物使用水平有所增加，尤其是阿片类药物和大麻素。
获得适应性强和创新性的技术，如远程医疗，可以在危机时期协助护理五分之一患有慢性疼痛的加拿大人，并且必须作为加拿大综合疼痛策略的重要组成部分纳入其中。
