The CPCoE enables research of chronic pain in Veterans. The guiding principles for research include national and international collaboration, building upon existing strengths in Canada, and capitalizing on existing investments made by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). With the goal of improving Veterans’ well-being, our research findings will be used to promote evidence-based best practices that will inform our network of pain clinics, researchers, case managers, and the public.

The CPCoE strongly encourages that research include Veteran partners to shape and focus their research. Veteran partners are key members of the research team involved in providing meaningful advice and active collaboration to influence and execute research from the onset of the projects. This ensures that the project will be designed to better engage Veterans as participants in surveys, interviews, and trials.

If you are a Veteran who would like to participate in CPCoE research, please click here to sign up for our mailing list.  

At the core of all CPCoE activities is the principle of Veteran engagement. Consultation and engagement with Veterans, which includes an Advisory Council for Veterans (ACV) to advise on research priorities, began prior to establishing the organization and continues as a lasting priority. This ongoing engagement helps to develop a deeper and more thorough understanding of the day-to-day challenges that Veterans and their families face as a result of their experiences with chronic pain. That understanding is used to shape research to ensure that it will have a genuine, practical, and positive impact on the well-being of Veterans and their families.

The CPCoE develops its funding opportunities through a priority setting process adapted from the James Lind Alliance. This priority setting model ensures that all research undertaken by CPCoE is informed by Veterans, and their families, living with chronic pain.

The process begins with CPCoE soliciting issues of relevance from Veterans, their families, and healthcare providers. The issues submitted are then examined against the current evidence landscape to establish research uncertainties. These uncertainties are then prioritized by the ACV in a priority setting meeting. The resulting priorities are developed into funding opportunities.

Read the full Priority Setting Process (PSP) Report