631: The Alberta Virtual Pain Program: A Learning Health System for Scalable Virtual Pain Care

Topic: Education, Societal Impact, and Others
Subtopic: Organisation of clinical pain care

Background and Aims: Chronic pain affects approximately 1,000,000 individuals in Alberta, Canada, many of whom experience fragmented, difficult-to-navigate care and report having to “fight” to access needed services (1). In response to calls for system-level change, the Alberta Virtual Pain Program (AVPP) was established as Canada’s first publicly funded, province-wide chronic pain program. Recognizing the distinct physiology of chronic pain, AVPP provides timely, centralized access to patient-centred, multidisciplinary, non-pharmacologic care. A core component is a six-week, virtual group-based pain science education and self-management program, featuring twice-weekly clinician- and peer support worker (PSW) -led sessions, with follow-up support for up to 12 months.

Methods: Following a Learning Health System (LHS) approach, the program was shaped through co-design with people with lived and living experience and providers, alongside embedded evaluation to inform development, implementation, rapid adaptations, and scale-up. Early uptake and preliminary patient outcomes—Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form (BPI-SF) and Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ)—were assessed over the first 18 months post-launch using EMR and survey data. Uptake and categorical survey items were summarized using counts and percentages; attendance was reported as mean (SD) across cohorts; and pre–post changes in patient-reported outcomes (baseline to program end) were examined using paired t-tests.

Results: >800 referrals were received, and >300 patients engaged with group and self-led programming. For group programming, across 37 cohorts (N=310), mean [SD] attendance was 72% [22%] for clinician-facilitated sessions and 50% [24%] for PSW–led sessions. Pre–post analyses showed clinically and statistically significant improvements: BPI-SF pain interference −0.84 (95% CI: −1.38 to −0.31; p=0.003; n=51); PSEQ +3.63 (95% CI: +2.20 to +5.07; p<0.001; n=57). At program end, 93% were satisfied with clinician-facilitated sessions and 96% with Peer Support Worker–led sessions; 87% reported improved overall well-being. At 12-month, 92% reported the program helped them feel better.

Conclusions: By integrating a Learning Health System approach with co-design and embedded evaluation across planning, implementation, and continuous quality improvement, the program addresses persistent gaps in care while remaining responsive to patient needs. The model demonstrates feasibility at scale and is associated with meaningful improvements in clinical outcomes and patient-reported experience. AVPP received the 2025 Health Quality Alberta Patient Experience Award in recognition of its patient-centred approach. High attendance rates, sustained engagement, and positive outcomes support its effectiveness as a scalable model for virtual, multidisciplinary chronic pain care in primary and community settings.

References: 1. Bruce M, Lopatina E, Hodge J, Moffat K, Khan S, Pyle P, Kashuba S, Wasylak T, Santana MJ. Understanding the chronic pain journey and coping strategies that patients use to manage their chronic pain: a qualitative, patient-led, Canadian study. BMJ open. 2023 Jul 1;13(7):e072048.

Presenting Author: Elena Lopatina
Submitting Author: Elena Lopatina

Senior Author: Magali Robert

IASP 2026 Global Year theme of Neuropathic Pain: No

• Tina Hoang: MD - University of Calgary
• Magali Robert: MD, MSc - University of Calgary