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

Description: 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.

Intended Audience: Clinical Practice, Cross-disciplinary, Clinical Research, Education, Trainee

Theme: Other

Educational Objectives:

• Apply practical knowledge mobilization (KM) strategies, such as co-creation, policy engagement, and public outreach, to enhance the real-world impact of pain research and leave with actionable tools they can use in their own KM activities.
• Analyze how KM models can inform interdisciplinary approaches to pain research across the lifespan and with diverse populations and identify specific KM approaches to apply in their own work.
• Develop a tailored plan to engage with interest holders (patients, partner organizations, policymakers, media) in meaningful ways that bridge gaps and leave with clear next steps for implementation in their own settings.

Please provide the title of each station.: 1. From Evidence to Action: Implementing System-Wide Health Standards (Dr. Kathryn Birnie)
2. Co-Creation in Practice: Partnering with Patients and Families (Dr. Jennifer Stinson)
3. Policy in Motion: Influencing Decision-Makers for Impact (Dr. Jaris Swidrovich)
4. Beyond the Journal: Engaging the Public and Media (Dr. Christine Chambers)

Key Insight Per Station: 1. From Evidence to Action: Implementing System-Wide Health Standards

Key Insight: Successful health standard development and implementation requires more than strong evidence, it depends on timing, relationships, and aligning with system-level priorities.

2. Co-Creation in Practice: Partnering with Patients and Families

Key Insight: Engaging patients and families as equal partners in research, including knowledge mobilization, leads to more relevant, effective, and sustainable solutions in pain care.

3. Policy in Motion: Influencing Decision-Makers for Impact

Key Insight: Translating research into policy change demands inclusive, relationship-driven strategies that are responsive to context, culture, and the priorities of political and institutional decision-makers.

4. Beyond the Journal: Engaging the Public and Media

Key Insight: Proactive, accessible public engagement can dramatically expand the reach and influence of pain research, shaping both perception and action.

Speakers

Name	Institution	Country
Christine Chambers	Dalhousie University	Canada
Jaris Swidrovich	University of Toronto