For Healthcare Providers
Explore
-
Teleconsult Service
Speak directly to a physician or pharmacist for advice on management of your patient's chronic pain.
-
Specialist Link
Call a chronic pain nurse practitioner at 403-910-2551 (toll-free 1-844-962-5465). Your call will be returned within one hour; available Mondays - Fridays 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
-
Interdisciplinary Pain Program
- Neuromusculoskeletal (NMSK) Pain
- Pelvic Pain
- Post-Concussion and Cervicogenic Headache
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Surgically Implanted Neurostimulator
-
Surgically Implanted Neurostimulator Program
Working in collaboration with the department of Neurosurgery at Foothills hospital, a Registered Nurse coordinates screening for and management of implanted neurostimulation devices.
-
Transitional Pain Service
The Transitional Pain Program provides pain care before and after surgery to patients who at risk of developing chronic pain. The goal is to prevent the transition from acute to chronic pain following surgery.
-
Chronic Pain Consultation Service
Description
-
Inclusion
18 years old +
- A history of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain (CNCP)
- A history of pain lasting 3 – 6 months
- Acute on chronic pain
- Chronic pain needing pain management strategies
- Focus on biopsychosocial health of patient
- Understanding what patients need to manage their chronic pain – what are their values and priorities; what resources are needed to manage in the community.
- Help the patient navigate the system to obtain services after discharge, example: referral to community programs to help them manage their chronic pain – CPC, Virtual Pain Program, Online Resources (Power Over Pain).
-
Exclusion
- < 18 years old +
- Acute onset pain condition:
- Post-surgical conditions, except limb amputations/phantom limb pain
- Fractures (use clinical judgment)
- Patients for whom narcotic management / management of acute pain appears to be the primary concern
- Patients for whom triplicate prescriptions are the only requirement
- Patient being actively treated for cancer
We will accept referral of WCB clients only with written notice of WCB acceptance for either a telephone consultation with a pain specialist or full chronic pain center multidisciplinary services. Approval from WCB must be obtained prior to referring.
-
Option 1: Referral Form
Physicians can refer patients to the Chronic Pain Centre by completing the Chronic Pain Referral Form. Referrals may request either:
- An in-person assessment or
- A telephone consultation with a pain physician or another member of the multidisciplinary team.
Additional referral information, eligibility criteria, and guidelines are available through the Alberta Referral Directory.
-
Option 2: eReferral
Referrals can also be submitted electronically through eReferral via Alberta Netcare.
To submit an eReferral:
- Log in to Alberta Netcare.
- Add eReferral to your homepage (if not already added).
- Search for your patient.
- Select the Create Referral icon from the menu bar.
- Follow the prompts to complete and submit the referral.
You will receive referral advice within five calendar days.
-
Medication Support
Opioid
- 2017 Canadian Opioid Guidelines
- Opioid Tapering
- Opioid Rotation
- Methadone for Analgesia
- Bupernorphine Patch (Butrans)
- Bupernorphine / Naloxone (Suboxone)
Novel Medication Treatments
- Low dose Naltrexone
- Topical creams
General Pain Medications Resources
-
Clinician Education
Alberta's Pathway Hub
-
Patient Education
-
Alberta Healthy Living Program
The Alberta Healthy Living Program offers free programs and services to Albertans. You may have access to:
- Group exercise
- Health and nutrition education
- Self-management workshops
Services are offered online, in person, or over the phone.
-
Alberta Rehabilitation
Allied Health professionals provide rehabilitation services in partnership with patients and families to support their wellness, quality of life, and improve their ability to participate actively and meaningfully in their lives and communities.
-
Alberta Virtual Pain Program
For patients looking to better understand their pain, connect with others living with pain, and seeking strategies on managing pain beyond the use of medications. An interactive program led by health providers, with access to a variety of program offerings and post-completion follow-up for up to 1 year.
-
Calgary Headache Assessment & Management Program (CHAMP)
The Calgary Headache Assessment and Management Program is an academic, tertiary headache referral centre aimed at providing advanced treatments for patients with complex headache problems and advancing our understanding of the mechanisms and treatments of headache and facial pain.
-
FibroFOCUS
FibroFOCUS™ is a program for adults with a clear diagnosis of primary fibromyalgia syndrome. All services are provided through regular Alberta Health Care. Referrals must be sent via fax only to 1-403-209-2954. FibroFOCUS™ is a community-based program on Zoom.
-
Functional Neurological Disorders (FND) Clinic
The FND Clinic is an academic, tertiary care program aimed at assessing patients with FND for suitability to rehabilitation programs led by the allied health team at South Health Campus.
-
Gut Motility Clinic
The Gut Motility Clinic provides diagnosis and management of a comprehensive range of adult motility and functional disorders.
-
Opioid Dependency Program
Provides initiation and maintenance of Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) medications and psychosocial support to people with opioid use disorder to help them to live healthy lives.
-
Primary Care Networks
Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are teams of healthcare providers working together to improve access to community healthcare services and support patient wellness.
-
Chronic Pain Education Day for Healthcare Providers
FREE, full-day educational opportunity for healthcare providers who want to enhance their understanding of chronic pain management.
Topics include:
- Science of Chronic Pain: Explaining Pain to Patients
- Psychosocial factors in Chronic Pain: Assessment & Treatment
- Referrals and Access
- Drug Therapy Management of Chronic Pain
- Improving Physical Education
Next Session: September 16, 2026, Register here
-
Wise Prescribing and Deprescribing
This online self-learning course provides opportunities for you to review the principles and guidelines for opioid tapering and reflect on your own practices.
-
External Resources
- Alberta Virtual Program Provider Webinars
- Graduate Certificate in Pain Management (U of A)
- Graduate Certificate in Chronic Pain Management (Pain BC)
-
Professional Orgranizations