Managing patients with chronic pain in primary care can be difficult, particularly in remote or underserved practices. Project ECHO offers guidance to primary care practitioners for their most challenging patients, promotes knowledge acquisition and diffusion, and stimulates the development of a "community of practice."

Introduction Inadequate knowledge and training of healthcare providers are obstacles to effective chronic pain management. ECHO (extension for community healthcare outcomes) uses case-based learning and videoconferencing to connect specialists with providers in underserved areas. ECHO aims to increase capacity in managing complex cases in areas with poor access to specialists. Methods A pre-post study was conducted to evaluate the impact of ECHO on healthcare providers' self-efficacy, knowledge and satisfaction. Type of profession, presenting a case, and number of sessions attended were examined as potential factors that may influence the outcomes Results From June 2014 to March 2017, 296 primary care healthcare providers attended ECHO, 264 were eligible for the study, 170 (64%) completed the pre-ECHO questionnaire and 119 completed post-ECHO questionnaires. Participants were physicians (34%), nurse practitioners (21%), pharmacists (13%) and allied health professionals (32%). Participants attended a mean of 15 ± 9.19 sessions. There was a significant increase in self-efficacy ( p < 0.0001) and knowledge ( p < 0.0001). Self-efficacy improvement was significantly higher among physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners than the non-prescribers group ( p = 0.03). On average, 96% of participants were satisfied with ECHO. Satisfaction was higher among those who presented cases and attended more sessions. Discussion This study shows that ECHO improved providers' self-efficacy and knowledge. We evaluated outcomes from a multidisciplinary group of providers practicing in Ontario. This diversity supports the generalisability of our findings. Therefore, we suggest that this project may be used as a template for creating other educational programs on other medical topics.

Background: Research objectives should be focused toward advancing knowledge that has meaningful impact on health. However, research agendas are mostly driven by the health care community, with limited input from patients. Aims: In this study, prioirities of uncertainties for the management of fibromyalgia (FM) that could propel future research were identified by a defined process using the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership (JLA-PSP) methodology. Methods: As a first step, a survey was distributed across Canada that engaged patients, caregivers, and health care professionals to provide narrative input to eight open-ended questions regarding FM care. Responses were thematically condensed and synthesized into an initial list of 43 uncertainties used to guide a comprehensive literature search. Questions already effectively addressed in the literature were excluded, leaving 25 uncertainties that were ranked during a one-day consensus workshop. Results: Three broad themes emerged: the value of personalized targeted treatment and subgrouping of patients; the efficacy of various self-management strategies and educational initiatives; and identification of the ideal health care setting to provide FM care. Opioids and cannabinoids were the only specific pharmacologic interventions ranked as needing further research. Conclusions: The prioritized questions highlight the importance of recognizing the heterogeneity of FM symptoms, the need for a personalized treatment approach, and a better understanding of the value of self-management strategies. This is the first study that uses an established and transparent methodology to engage all FM stakeholders to help inform researchers and funding bodies of clinically relevant research priorities.

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The entire primary care record of six patients attending a community-based education/exercise self-management program for chronic noncancer pain (YMCA Pain Exercise/Education Program [Y-PEP]) was reviewed. Medical visits, consultations and hospital admissions were coded as related or unrelated to their pain diagnoses. Mood disruption, financial concerns, conflicts with employers/insurers, analgesic doses, medication side effects and major life events were also recorded. The 'chronic pain trajectory' resembled a roller coaster with increased health care visits at the time of initial injuries and during 'crises' (reinjury, conflict with insurers/employers, failed back-to-work attempts and life events). Visits decreased when conflicts were resolved. Analgesic doses increased during 'crises' but did not fall after resolution. After attending Y-PEP, health care use fell for four of six patients and two returned to work. Primary care physicians need to recognize the functional limitations and psychosocial complications experienced by their chronic pain patients. A program such as Y-PEP may promote active self-management strategies resulting in lowered health care use.

There is a proliferation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in medicine and rehabilitation. The purpose of a CPG is to distil research evidence into recommendations for clinical decision making. 2 Cutforth et al.'s description 1 of the development of the Alberta CPG for low back pain (LBP) is unique and exciting for three main reasons: it was developed collaboratively, is contextually relevant, and is multidisciplinary in nature. (Please also view their video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkPv72O9ums.)The principle behind evidence-based practice (EBP) is that health care practitioners should use available evidence to determine effective, patient-relevant treatment.Yet study after study has revealed a significant gap between what is known and what is practised, that is, a gap between evidence and practice. The good news is that the gap can be partially bridged by translating evidence into CPGs. Regrettably, however, the uptake of guidelines in Canada has been less than successful. 3 For example, knowledge about best practices for subacute and chronic LBP remains low. 4,5 Harman et al. 6 found that although physiotherapists understand the importance of active versus passive treatment in managing subacute LBP, they continue to use passive interventions that are not supported by the literature. Thus, the remaining gap requires a bridge in the form of actual acceptance and use of guidelines in everyday clinical practice (i.e., guideline uptake).