Ensuring Equity and Inclusion in Virtual Care Best Practices for Diverse Populations of Youth with Chronic Pain
Kathryn A. Birnie, Tieghan Killackey, Gillian Backlin, F. Gavin, Christine R. Harris, Isabel Jordán, Laesa Kim, Justina Marianayagam, Jenna Swidrovich, Corinne Lalonde, Lanre Tunji-Ajayi, Tim F. Oberlander, Melanie Kirby‐Allen, Simon J. Lambert, Hal Siden, Jaris Swidrovich, Mélanie Noël, Chitra Lalloo, Jennifer Stinson
Abstract
Poor access to care is a top patient-oriented research priority for youth with chronic pain in Canada, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these concerns. Our patient-oriented project team engaged with marginalized and racialized youth with chronic pain (Black youth with sickle cell disease, Indigenous youth and youth with complex medical needs) and their families to ensure that best practice recommendations for virtual care are inclusive and equitable. Input provided through virtual round-table discussions improved recommendations for leveraging, implementing and selecting best platforms for virtual care for youth with chronic pain and identified new gaps for future research, practice and policy change.