Pain Management Grant

The University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain (UTCSP), led by U of T Dentistry, recently received a $1.2-million contribution from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program for SafeOp. This is a three-year initiative focused on improving best practices in perioperative pain management prescribing for patients undergoing elective surgery. SafeOp will update the national recommendations and share them, as well as tailored resources, with healthcare providers and patients.

Opioids remain among the most commonly prescribed medications following surgery. When post-surgery pain is poorly managed, it can delay recovery and increase the risk of prolonged opioid use, misuse or diversion.

“There has been a lot of movement towards guidelines for best practice in pain management prescribing for post-surgery. Our project aims to build national consensus and support people in their dissemination and implementation of these best practices,” says Rachael Bosma, director of the UTCSP and an assistant professor at the Faculty of Dentistry. “We are hoping to increase knowledge around best practices in pain management prescribing, patient education, and the safe use and disposal of pain medication.”

The UTCSP is a virtual hub for researchers, clinicians, educators and trainees to address the chronic pain crisis. In partnership with the faculties of Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine and Nursing, UTCSP hosts one of the largest pain research networks globally.

This initiative was funded by a contribution from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.