Chronic pain in children and adolescents in Manitoba: A retrospective chart review to inform the development of a provincial service for pediatric chronic pain

BACKGROUND: In the absence of an interdisciplinary service for pediatric chronic pain in Manitoba, pain management has been offered through a single provider outpatient setting with consultative services from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychiatry since October 2015. AIMS: The aim of this study was to characterize the patient population of this clinic to understand needs and inform future service development for pediatric chronic pain. METHODS: Demographics and disease characteristics of all patients seen in this clinic between October 1, 2015, and February 28, 2019, were analyzed retrospectively from electronic medical records. RESULTS: A total of 157 patients, mean age 13.1 (sd ±3.0) years, 75.2% female, with a median duration of pain of 20.5 (interquartile range [IQR] = 10.0–45.8) months at their first visit were included in the study. At baseline, 74.0% of patients experienced insomnia, 76.6% fatigue, 86.5% symptoms of anxiety, and 58.69% symptoms of depression; 80.1% showed withdrawal from physical activity, 67.1% missed school, and 10.2% reported opioid usage. Throughout their care in clinic, 83.4% of patients received physiotherapy, 17.8% occupational therapy, 49.7% mental health support, and 51.6% care from multiple services. The clinic experienced a significant increase in median referrals from 1.0 to 5.0 (IQR = 2.0–9.0) per month and wait time from 35.0 to 97.0 (IQR = 88.0–251.0) days during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Developing an interdisciplinary service for pediatric chronic pain will provide an opportunity to improve access, coordination, and comprehensiveness of care and to employ culturally sensitive services to improve care for children and youth living with chronic pain in Manitoba and possibly other jurisdictions with similar demographics and needs.