Pain after surgery is common and usually managed with medications. Evidence shows that learning about pain before their operation helps people undergoing surgery to set realistic expectations about pain, use prescribed medications safely, and improves their well-being and comfort.
Managing Pain Before and After Surgery is a free self-paced online program designed to help people undergoing surgery and their families better manage pain after surgery and decrease complications.
The brief course is made up of three modules:
- Module one: Preparing for surgery
- Module two: Pain after surgery
- Module three: For people experiencing chronic pain prior to their surgery
Pain Canada also has a pre-surgical pain course for health care providers
In addition to this course for people awaiting surgery, we also offer a concise, evidence-based course to support health care providers to build skills and knowledge about pain in the peri-operative context. Chronic Pain Insights is a free online course that covers clinically relevant strategies for managing pain before and after surgery, with an emphasis on self- management strategies patients can use before and after surgery. Learn more.
Subject matter experts
Dora (Thea) Wang. HBSc Candidate, University of Toronto. Patient Partner, Patient Voices Network
Anna Lomanowska, PhD. Scientific Associate. Transitional Pain Service, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network
Alyssa Hodgson MA, MD, FRCPC (Anesthesiology). Clinical Instructor, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Hance Clarke MD PhD. Director, Transitional Pain Service, Toronto General Hospital. Staff Anesthesiologist, UHN. President, Canadian Pain Society
Tania Di Renna MD, FRCPC. Medical Director, Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute. Associate Professor, University of Toronto Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. President elect, Canadian Pain Society
PJ Matras, RN, MN, Clinical Nurse Specialist Pain Management, PHC
Brenda Poulton RN, MN, (retired NP), Co-Director BC Adaptive Mentorship Network, FH Clinical Lead RAC for Low Back Pain Pilot
Robert Beringer DSocSci, Assistant Professor, School of Public Health and Social Policy, Faculty of Human and Social Development; University of Victoria. Research Fellow, Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health
Learning outcomes
Why you should take this program
Program certification
Course outline
Have a question about a Pain Canada course?
Visit learner supportFunding for this program was provided by Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.