Chronic Pain Experience and Health Inequities During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada: Qualitative Findings from the Chronic Pain & COVID-19 Pan-Canadian Study

Overview

Journal Int J Equity Health

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialties Health Services
Public Health

Date 2021 Jun 24

PMID 34162393

Citations 22

Authors

Lise Dassieu

M Gabrielle Page

Anais Lacasse

Maude Laflamme

Vickie Perron

Audree Janelle-Montcalm

Maria Hudspith

Gregg Moor

Kathryn Sutton

James M Thompson

Manon Choiniere

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Chronic pain affects about 20 % of the Canadian population and can lead to physical, psychological and social vulnerabilities. However, this condition remains poorly recognized and undertreated. During 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.

Methods: This qualitative study was part of a pan-Canadian mixed-methods project and aimed to understand the experiences and challenges of people living with chronic pain during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Between May and August 2020, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 22 individuals living with chronic pain across the country. We used reflexive thematic analysis to interpret data.

Results: Our findings underscored four dimensions of the chronic pain experience during the pandemic: (1) Reinforced vulnerability due to uncertainties regarding pain and its management; (2) Social network as a determinant of pain and psychological condition; (3) Increasing systemic inequities intermingling with the chronic pain experience; (4) More viable living conditions due to confinement measures. Though several participants reported improvements in their quality of life and reduced social pressure in the context of stay-at-home orders, participants from socio-economically deprived groups and minorities reported more challenges in accessing pain relief, health care services, and psychosocial support.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and intensified pre-existing disparities and challenges among people living with chronic pain in terms of material resources, psychosocial condition, social support, and access to care. In post-pandemic times, it will be essential to address flaws in health and welfare policies to foster equity and social inclusiveness of people with chronic pain.

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