Derek Speirs has been awarded a Commendation from the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Associate Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, for his dedication to improving the well-being of Veterans.

The Centre of Excellence's Research Director Jason Busse published two new evidence reviews which examine the links between opioids and non-opioid alternatives, and how effective they are in treating chronic pain related to acute musculoskeletal injuries especially in Veterans.

When patients and colleagues ask me about the origins of the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (“Centre of Excellence”), I start by telling them a story of an early patient of mine at the Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic.

Veterans Derek Speirs and Marieanne Nyhuis join Annette Hamm on Hamilton’s Morning Live to discuss their experience with chronic pain and the launch of the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans.

Veteran Derek Speirs speaks with radio host Dave Trafford about his experience with chronic pain, and what the Centre of Excellence means to him.

Over 40% of Canadian veterans experience chronic pain, but they often do not receive the proper care they deserve because the current healthcare system is not built to properly address the unique needs that veterans with chronic pain face, like mental illness and PTSD. Veterans also face many barriers to access care. Derek Speirs gives his perspective as a former Submariner in the Canadian Navy.

Next month, the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans launches at Hamilton’s McMaster University. Marie-Anne Nyhuis and Derek Speirs are two veterans who have benefited from research and treatment and they joined us this morning to tell us about what happened to them.

Opioids are frequently prescribed for acute musculoskeletal injuries and may result in long-term use and consequent harms.

This study presents evidence supporting the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary pain management program in addressing pain-related variables in Veterans and nonveterans and provides insight into how pain management is experienced differently by Veterans.