Research Priorities Among Canadian Military Veterans Living With Chronic Pain: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abdul Rehman Qureshi; Oluwatoni Makanjuola; Samuel Neumark; Andrew Garas; Li Wang; Jason W Busse

doi:10.1093/milmed/usac309

Research Priorities Among Canadian Military Veterans Living With Chronic Pain: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Mil Med. 2022 Oct 14:usac309. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usac309. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Abdul Rehman Qureshi^{1

2}, Oluwatoni Makanjuola³, Samuel Neumark⁴, Andrew Garas⁵, Li Wang^{2

6}, Jason W Busse^{2

6

7

8}

Affiliations

¹ College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi PO Box 127788, United Arab Emirates.
² Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
³ Faculty of Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
⁴ Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Translational Research Program, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1W7, Canada.
⁵ Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
⁶ Department of Anesthesia, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
⁷ The Michael G. DeGroote National Pain Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
⁸ Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1, Canada.

PMID: 36239589
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usac309

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic pain is a debilitating problem that disproportionately affects military veterans. We completed a qualitative study that identified 20 research priorities of Canadian veterans living with chronic noncancer pain. The aim of this study was to establish the generalizability of these priorities.

Materials and methods: From January to March 2021, we emailed a 45-item survey to a list of Canadian veterans living with chronic noncancer pain that asked about the relative importance of 20 research priorities.

Results: Overall, 313 of 701 Canadian military veterans living with chronic noncancer pain returned a completed survey (45% response rate). All 20 research priorities listed in the survey were endorsed by ≥75% of respondents, and four received ≥95% endorsement: (1) optimizing chronic pain management after release from the military; (2) establishing the effectiveness of self-care; and (3) identifying and (4) treating mental illness among veterans living with chronic pain. One research priority differed significantly by gender; 50% more females than males rated improving chronic pain care while in the military as important (99% vs. 49%, P < .001).

Conclusions: Our survey established research priorities among Canadian veterans living with chronic noncancer pain. These findings should be considered by granting agencies when formulating calls for proposals and by researchers who wish to undertake research that will address the needs of military veterans living with chronic pain.