Laurentides Pain Management Program Wins Provincial Innovation Award

A multidisciplinary pain management program developed by the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) des Laurentides has received provincial recognition for improving access to care for residents living with persistent pain.

The CISSS announced on June 5 that its Interdisciplinary Clinical Pain Management Program has won a Première ligne en santé (PLS) award in the category of Interdisciplinarity. The award was presented during the Première ligne en santé conference, an annual gathering that highlights innovations in primary care and community-based health services.

The recognition comes at a time when health-care systems across Quebec continue to face growing demand for chronic pain services. Persistent pain affects thousands of residents and can have significant impacts on quality of life, employment, mobility, and mental health. Access to timely treatment has long been a challenge for many patients.

According to the CISSS des Laurentides, the award-winning program was created to address these challenges by bringing together professionals from several disciplines to provide coordinated care. The team includes a clinical nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, kinesiologist, and social worker who work collaboratively to help patients better manage chronic pain.

Rather than relying solely on medical interventions, the program combines individual follow-up appointments, group sessions, and targeted education designed to help participants develop long-term self-management strategies. The objective is to increase autonomy, improve daily functioning, and enhance overall quality of life.

Health officials say the approach has helped reduce barriers to care while providing support that is both structured and patient-centred. The model reflects a broader shift within Quebec’s health-care system toward interdisciplinary primary care and prevention-focused services.

One participant, identified by the CISSS as Patrick, described the program as a life-changing experience.

“My time at the pain clinic was an essential bridge that allowed me not only to heal, but also to learn lessons for life,” he said.

The program was launched in October 2023 at a time when wait times for chronic pain services in the Laurentides region were a growing concern. Since then, more than 420 patients have received care through the initiative, according to the CISSS.

Julie Delaney, President and Chief Executive Officer of the CISSS des Laurentides, said the award recognizes both the expertise of the clinical team and the impact the program has had on residents.

“When the program was implemented in October 2023, wait times for these services were concerning,” Delaney said in a statement. “Since then, more than 420 users have been able to quickly obtain the care they needed. In the Laurentides, we innovate to transform access to care and services for the population.”

The recognition highlights how local health-care innovation can improve access to essential services in growing regions such as the Laurentides, where demand for community-based care continues to increase. As governments and health authorities seek solutions to relieve pressure on the broader health-care system, initiatives that emphasize prevention, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration may serve as models for other regions across Quebec.

Residents seeking more information about the program can consult the CISSS des Laurentides website through its Pain Clinic services section.