Chronic Pain
Condition Emergency cases Urgent cases Scheduled cases*
Acute neuropathic pain of less than 6 months duration N/A N/A Within 30 days
Acute lumbar disc protrusion N/A N/A Within 3 months
Cancer pain** N/A N/A Within 14 days
Subacute chronic pain in an adult of working age where intervention may improve function N/A N/A Within 3 months
Other types of chronic pain N/A N/A Within 6 months

*Wait time for first assessment by pain subspecialist after referral by primary physician. These wait times do not include subsequent waits for rehabilitation programs, psychology-based programs, or interventional procedures that may be deemed appropriate after the initial consultation with a pain subspecialist.

** Service within 14 days is recommended for patients who do not have access to a palliative service or in cases in which a palliative care team has asked for a specific procedure.

Reference: Wait time benchmarks for patients with chronic pain: position of the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ SocietyPDF

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