Access to Treatment
Chronic Pain Management Expert Centres
If your situation is complex or requires specific expertise, you may be referred to one of the following four centres specialized in chronic pain treatment (Centre d’expertise en gestion de la douleur hronique’ or CEGDC) associated with the Réseau universitaire intégré en santé et services sociaux (RUISSS) at University of Montréal, McGill University, University of Sherbrooke, and Laval University. These centres were created as part of a national program for the evaluation, treatment and management of chronic pain introduced by Quebec’s Minister of Health.
Centres Specialized in Chronic Pain
Each CEGDC consists of a central core that comprises two entities: a multidisciplinary chronic pain clinic and a rehabilitation centre that offers specialized services for chronic pain management.
Front-Line Support
CEGDC developed different tools to help general practitioners as well as other front-line healthcare professionals working with people living with chronic pain. Such tools can be accessed on CEGDC of RUISSS de l’Université de Montréal’s WebSite page.
Access to Services
When seeking help for a chronic pain problem, you should first consult your primary care physician or with a specialist working in a general practice clinic. The CEGDC developed different tools to help family physicians as well as other front-line health professionals working with people living with chronic pain. Examples of these tools are available on CEGDC, RUISSS de l’Université de Montréal’s WebSite.http://ruisss.umontreal.ca/centre-dexpertise-en-gestion-de-la-douleur-chronique-cegdc)
If your chronic pain problem requires a specialized approach or a more precise treatment plan, your family physician will refer you, by submitting a duly completed form, to a chronic pain clinic in your area.
Family Physician
When seeking help for a chronic pain problem, you should first consult your primary care physician or with a specialist working in a general practice clinic. Your family physician will be able to evaluate, diagnose and treat most conditions associated with chronic pain. Healthcare professionals working with your physician may, if they are available, become involved in your case to lend a helping hand.
If your chronic pain problem requires a specialized approach or a more precise treatment plan, your family physician will refer you, by submitting a duly completed form, to a chronic pain clinic in your area. Pain clinics are usually located within hospital settings, provide an interdisciplinary approach and have the possibility to offer injection treatments. Pain clinic treatment is temporary and recommendations are addressed to your family physician.
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