A new independent impact evaluation conducted by Signal49 Research examines how the Chronic Pain Network (CPN) has contributed to changing the pain research landscape over the past decade. The evaluation identifies CPN as a pan-Canadian backbone for chronic pain coordination across research, care, policy, and lived experience, helping to reduce silos and accelerate impact. It highlights the substantial impact of CPN across the Canadian pain ecosystem, including: - Embedding people with lived experience as partners in governance, influencing research, care, and policy in meaningful ways
- Driving high-impact research with national and international reach, with evidence cited in policy documents across multiple jurisdictions
- Strengthening coordination and capacity across the pain ecosystem, enabling more connected research, training, and collaboration at a national scale
- Advancing a more integrated system, helping shift chronic pain from fragmented efforts toward coordinated action
As one participant noted: “CPN changed the way pain is researched [with] patient partners embedded at all levels.” The evaluation also highlights important opportunities moving forward to strengthen coordination across pain organizations, scale proven models into routine care, build shared data and infrastructure, and ensure sustainable investment to support long-term impact. Read Report here! | In this months Patient's Corner spotlight, we hear from Lynn Cooper, Swapnil Shah, and Therese Lane on their experiences attending the recent Canadian Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting in Quebec City. Read more here. | | Listen to Dr. Norm Buckley and Desmond Williams answer questions regarding Chronic Pain on CBC radio show Just Asking.
Listen here. | | Applying for a CIHR Grant? Strengthen your Knowledge Mobilization plan with CPN support The Chronic Pain Network (CPN) offers Knowledge Mobilization Grant Consultations to support researchers in developing tailored KM plans that enhance the reach and impact of their proposed work. CPN’s KM team and people with lived experience can help you: CPN consultations help researchers create strong, actionable KM strategies for grant proposals beyond standard dissemination plans. 👉 Request KM consultation support by contacting Rachel Roy royr1@mcmaster.ca | | National Pain Research Strategy:
We Want to Hear from You! This survey is designed to gather strategic input from the Canadian pain community to strengthen the pain research environment across Canada, build on the positive impact of Canadian pain research to date, and inform advocacy for stronger investment in pain research.
Responses will help build a compelling, solutions-focused case for funders, policymakers, and partners.
Link to survey here. | | The Chronic Pain Network is pleased to offer the Professional Development and Training Award. This is a competitive award for trainees or people with lived/living experience within the CPN network to enhance professional development/training in knowledge mobilization, implementation science, patient-oriented research, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility, and/or Sex-and Gender-Based Analysis (SGBA).
Supporting Training Opportunities between January 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027
Deadline to apply: September 18, 2026 Apply here! | | Conférence | Stratégies non-pharmacologique pour mieux dormir malgré la douleur 9 juin 2026 12 p.m. Cliquez ici. | | AQDC | Marchons ensemble contre la douleur chronique 2026 Pour une troisième année consécutive, l'AQDC et ses partenaires en douleur chronique proposent l'événement Marchons ensemble contre la douleur chronique dans plusieurs villes du Québec. Le but de cette initiative est de rassembler les personnes touchées de près par la douleur chronique : personnes vivant avec de la douleur chronique, leurs proches et les professionnels de la santé. Cliquez ici | | A new National Adult Pain Standard is being developed by Health Standards Organization (HSO) with partners including McMaster University, the Chronic Pain Network, the Canadian Pain Society, and Pain Canada. This summer, HSO will launch national consultations on the draft Standard. At the same time, the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is conducting a national survey to assess the Standard’s acceptability among healthcare leaders, administrators, clinicians, and others involved in adult pain care. The survey aims to ensure the Standard is practical, feasible, and aligned with real-world healthcare delivery. Participants will complete a short survey and may choose to engage in optional follow-up activities. Click HERE to confirm your willingness to be contacted. | | Registration is now open for OSSU Research Day 2026. Hosted by the Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit (OSSU), this year’s event will bring together researchers, patients, partners, policymakers, and health system leaders to explore how patient-oriented research is being put into action to improve health systems and outcomes. Centered on the theme Research in Action, the program will feature discussions on pragmatic clinical trials, learning health systems, priority populations, emerging directions in health research and more. 📅 September 23, 2026
📍 MaRS Discovery District, Toronto + Virtual
💻 Free to attend Participants are welcome to join us in person or virtually from anywhere. Register Here | | Chronic Pain & Opioid Stewardship Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:30pm ET Join our interdisciplinary HUB Team in deepening our understanding of trauma and pain. This 8 part series continues throughout our 2026/2027 session.
Register here. This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by the Continuing Education and Professional Development Office at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. You may claim a maximum of 12 hour(s) (credits are automatically calculated). | | Inviting members of our network who wish to be nominated to serve on a committee or working group as part of the Accelerating Clinical Trials-2 (ACT-2) Consortium. ACT-2 is currently awaiting a funding decision from CIHR, expected by late July. In the meantime, the ACT-2 Consortium is proactively constituting its committees and working groups so that the initiative can move forward quickly if the application is successful. As a network, we are eligible to nominate up to 8 individuals in total across all committees. Nominations must be submitted to CPN by June 11th at 5:00 pm. If you are interested please email cpn@mcmaster.ca | | The Chronic Pain Network is building a national Pain Atlas - a searchable database of pain researchers across Canada. The goal? To make it easier to - Connect researchers, trainees, and collaborators
- Identify who is working on what and where
- Highlight expertise across disciplines, methods, and regions
- Strengthen grant teams and cross-country partnerships
- Increase visibility of pain research nationally
To ensure your profile is part of the Pain Atlas, please submit your details using the form below.
🔗 Submit your information here | | Action on Pain Podcast The CPN is proud to support the Action On Pain podcast, which takes a closer look at the implementation of An Action Plan for Pain in Canada. Catch all the latest episodes today! | | Tri-Agency Narrative CV Guide Knowledge to Impact A resource for creating narrative CVs for CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC funding applications To learn more about this resource click here | | New CRPS Quick Reference Sheet A new quick reference sheet on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) has been developed by Krista Baerg, Allen Finley, and Susan Tupper, through the Chronic Pain Network (CPN), to support earlier recognition and improved understanding of this condition. CRPS is often triggered by a minor injury but presents with disproportionate, persistent pain, sensory changes, and functional impacts that can be difficult to assess and manage in practice. This resource highlights key signs, symptoms, and clinical considerations to support early identification and appropriate care. Access the full quick reference sheet here. | | Do you want to submit content to this newsletter? The Network Update newsletter is published monthly and is sent out to Chronic Pain Network members, supporters, and those interested in the topic of chronic pain. Send your content, including any photos and links to cpn@mcmaster.ca by the 28th of the month to be included in the following month's newsletter. | | | | |
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