Access to and Availability of Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain in Canada: An Environmental Scan

CADTH conducted an Environmental Scan to understand the current context around access to and the availability of non-pharmacological treatment for patients with chronic non-cancer pain across Canada. The opioid crisis has resulted in a pressing need for alternative therapies and complementary multi-modal care. Current guidelines recommend the use of non-opioid treatments, including non-pharmacological strategies (both physical and psychological), but many of these interventions may not be widely available, accessible, or publicly funded. This Environmental Scan was completed in support of the broader initiatives of CADTH’s Opioid Working Group.

The key objectives of this Environmental Scan were:

• to describe the current context (i.e., available public and private services; guidance for use; level of access/use/integration in treatment pathways; types of providers; treatment settings) around the non-pharmacological treatment of chronic non-cancer pain in Canadian jurisdictions
• to describe the Canadian funding practices related to non-pharmacological treatments for chronic non-cancer pain
• to identify the barriers and facilitators to accessing non-pharmacological treatments for chronic non-cancer pain in Canada.