In this episode of Action On Pain, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer speak with Melanie McDonald and James Boseley from Pain BC about the Trades and Pain campaign — a BC government-funded initiative tackling chronic pain among construction and trades workers. With over 50% of trades workers living with chronic pain, the campaign challenges workplace stigma through direct messaging, education, and accessible support like a text-based counseling service. Featuring toolbox talks and peer support development, the initiative aims to shift workplace culture from "pushing through pain" to seeking help — with plans for national expansion following its BC rollout.

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Links for this episode:

Pain BC Trades and Pain Program - https://painbc.ca/trades-and-pain-program

Follow Pain BC:

Website - https://painbc.ca/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PainBc/

Follow Melanie McDonald:

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/melanie-mcdonald-b14795172

UBC - https://socialwork.ubc.ca/profile/melanie-mcdonald/

Pacific Pain Forum - https://pacificpainforum.ca/team-members/melanie-mcdonald/

Follow James Boseley:

Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Article - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/mental-health/trades-workers-chronic-pain-health/

ICBA Article - https://icba.ca/bc-blog/training-thursday-the-pain-no-one-talks-about-on-the-job-site?province=BC

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/#

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website - https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In this episode of Action On Pain, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer welcome Doctors Patricia Poulin and Yaadwinder Shergill, co-leads behind Canada's first comprehensive chronic pain management portal — "Power Over Pain". The guests share how the portal was developed, from identifying gaps in pain care access to securing funding through Health Canada. Built on a stepped care model, the portal offers free, evidence-based resources including workshops, self-management tools, and peer support — helping Canadians navigate chronic pain while reducing wait times for specialized care.

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Links for this episode:

Follow Dr. Patricia Poulin:

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute - https://ohri.ca/en/find-researcher/patricia-poulin

University of Ottawa - https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-medicine/directory/dr-patricia-poulin

Follow Dr. Yaadwinder Shergil:

Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation - https://canadianchiropracticresearchfoundation.ca/members/dr-yaad-shergill/

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/yaad-shergill-37a2b842

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/#

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website - https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In this episode of Action On Pain, podcast, Keith, Jennifer, and Virginia welcome Graham Lord, a Toronto-based advocate living with chronic pain following a devastating 2002 motorcycle accident. Graham candidly shares his 17-year journey with high-dose opioid treatment, the challenges of inadequate early care, and his path to recovery through a transitional pain program. His story highlights the critical importance of timely, compassionate, and coordinated pain management. Graham's message of acceptance and resilience offers hope to others navigating chronic pain, while providing valuable insights for healthcare professionals.

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Links for this episode:

Best Brains Exchange - https://cpcrn-rcrsp.ca/best-brains-exchange-team-based-primary-care-learning-how-to-evaluate-the-outcomes-and-implementation-of-team-based-care/

Hance Clarke's Transitional Pain Program - https://www.transitionalpainservice.ca/team/hance-clarke

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/#

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In this week's episode of Action on Pain, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer speak with Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc, president of the Canadian Nurses Association, about the vital role of nurses in chronic pain management. The discussion covers the importance of patient-centred care, equitable access, nursing education, and advocacy for marginalized groups. Dr. LeBlanc emphasizes listening to patients, addressing inequities, and the need for ongoing research. The episode highlights collaborative, holistic approaches to pain care in Canada, guided by Health Canada’s Action Plan for Pain, and encourages continued dialogue and support for those living with chronic pain.

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Links for this episode:

Follow Dr. Kim Leblanc:

Canadian Nurses Association - https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/about-us/our-leadership/board-of-directors/kimberly-leblanc

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyleblancapn

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/#

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In this week's episode of Action On Pain, Virginia, Keith, and Jennifer welcome Dr. Arun Radhakrishnan, a family physician specializing in chronic non-cancer pain. Dr. Radhakrishnan shares his work building mentorship networks across Canada, designed to help healthcare providers improve their knowledge, confidence, and compassionate care skills. The conversation explores how digital health tools have transformed mentorship by making it more flexible and accessible, particularly for clinicians in rural areas. Dr. Radhakrishnan also highlights how these networks support clinician well-being, helping reduce burnout — ultimately benefiting patients living with chronic pain.

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Links for this episode:

Follow Dr. Arun Radhakrishnan:

Bruyére Health - https://www.bruyere.org/en/research-arun-radhakrishnan

Centre for Effective Practice - https://cep.health/insights/meet-arun-radhakrishnan-one-of-our-clinical-leads/

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/arun-k-radhakrishnan

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/#

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In this episode of Action on Pain, Jennifer, Keith, and Virginia speak with guests Linda Wilhelm and Delane Linkiewich about a newly developed tool called "My Pain Assessment and Communication Tool: MPaCT". Created collaboratively by people living with chronic pain, the tool moves beyond the traditional 0-to-10 pain scale to capture the full physical, emotional, and social impact of pain. Featuring a body map, descriptive pain language, and open-text fields, MPaCT aims to improve communication between patients and healthcare providers, ultimately supporting more personalized, patient-centred chronic pain care across Canada and beyond.

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Links for this episode:

Follow Delane Linkiewich:

Research - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Delane-Linkiewich

X - https://x.com/delanelinkie

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/linda-wilhelm-a59555a

Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance - https://arthritispatient.ca/en/steering-committee/

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/#

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In this week's episode, Jennifer, Keith, and Virginia welcome Dr. Lydia Hatcher, a family physician, pain management specialist, and president of the Canadian Academy of Pain Management (CAPM). Dr. Hatcher discusses the Academy's 30-year mission of educating clinicians and patients using a biopsychosocial approach—treating the whole person, not just the pain. The conversation highlights the importance of patient voices in medical education, setting realistic functional goals, and moving beyond opioid-focused care. Dr. Hatcher also addresses the significance of pain being recognized as a disease under the ICD-11 classification.

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Links for this episode:

Follow Dr. Lydia Hatcher:

Canadian Academy of Pain Management - https://www.canadianapm.com/

Lifemark - https://www.lifemark.ca/therapists/lydia/hatcher/4006333

LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/lydia-hatcher-b9888743

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/#

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.

In this episode of Action on Pain, the hosts welcome Dr. Timothy Wideman, a physiotherapist and McGill University associate professor, to discuss innovative approaches to pain education in Canada. Guided by Health Canada’s Action Plan for Pain, the conversation explores how involving people living with chronic pain in healthcare training improves provider empathy and competency. Dr. Wideman shares his research findings showing that direct patient engagement in education leads to better outcomes for future clinicians. The episode highlights the importance of holistic, patient-centred care and ongoing efforts to enhance pain management nationwide.

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Links for this episode:

Follow Dr. Tim Wideman:

McGill University - https://www.mcgill.ca/spot/timothy-h-wideman

Google Scholar - https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=cNwRcp4AAAAJ&hl=en

Follow Action On Pain:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/action-on-pain/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actiononpain/

Follow Virginia:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-mcintyre-8867a247/

Website - www.pipain.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/virginia_mci/

Follow Jennifer:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdalycyr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jen_dalycyr/#

Follow Keith:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-meldrum-03701734/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-path-forward-pain

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldrum_keith/

Website: https://www.facebook.com/APathFWD

Follow Chronic Pain Network

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpn-rdc/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpn.rdc

The Action on Pain podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Chronic Pain Network, a national research and knowledge mobilization network.