Making a Difference: Hands-On Approaches to Mobilizing Pain Research into Practice and Policy

This interactive workshop will immerse participants in real-world, hands-on knowledge mobilization (KM) strategies across different audiences and contexts in pain research, care, and policy. While grounded in Canadian innovations, the workshop has global relevance, drawing on unique expertise from pediatric pain that offers powerful lessons applicable across the lifespan. Led by an interdisciplinary diverse group of senior and emerging leaders in pain from psychology, nursing, and pharmacy, the session builds on the work of Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP), a national knowledge mobilization network dedicated to improving children’s pain management. Participants will explore how to bridge the gap between evidence, practice, and policy through a dynamic, four-station format that showcases diverse and transferable KM approaches: system-wide health standard implementation, co-creation with patient and community partners, influencing public policy, and engaging with the media and general public. The pediatric pain lens will provide a focused, high-impact case study, but the strategies highlighted are broadly applicable to researchers, trainees, clinicians, advocates, and policymakers across the pain field and beyond internationally. This workshop is ideal for anyone committed to turning evidence into action and will be led by experts with a strong track record of impact in both academic and real-world settings.