Managing Pain Before and After Surgery

The Managing Pain Before and After Surgery course is a free, self-paced online program designed to help people undergoing surgery and their families effectively manage pain and reduce post-surgery complications. Research shows that understanding pain management before surgery helps set realistic expectations, promotes safe use of prescribed medications, and enhances overall well-being and comfort.

The brief course is made up of three modules to help you prepare for surgery, manage pain after surgery, and build a specialized plan if you have chronic pain prior to surgery.  
    • Audience
      People with Pain
  • Modules
    3
  • Duration
    40 Hrs
  • Certificate
    Upon Completion

Learning Outcomes

By participating in these three modules, participants will be able to:
  • Understand what to expect at your pre-surgical health care appointments, what to know before and on the day of your surgery, and surgery recovery tips for faster healing
  • Explain what to expect after surgery and implement tips for managing pain after surgery through effective communication with your health care providers, safe use of prescribed medications, and effective use of non-medication pain management strategies.  
  • Prepare for surgery with chronic pain and apply strategies for minimizing its impact on your post-surgery recovery.

Frequently asked questions

Modules

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.

Faculty

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