Military Veterans experience chronic pain at a higher rate than other people in Canada
About 41% of Veterans live with chronic pain, nearly double the rate of the civilian population, and 63% of Veterans with chronic pain live with a mental health condition. 1 , 2 Veterans have developed their identities within a military culture
Military culture encourages collectivistic and “missionbefore-self” mindsets, 3 which can affect Veterans’ experiences of pain. Being mission focused and disciplined may help Veterans follow treatment plans and clinical guidance. 4 However, Veterans with severe pain may push past their pain to complete tasks that support their team or family. Veterans may benefit from learning pacing skills to know when to stop, take a break, or modify their activities. Veterans face barriers to care and may distrust health care institutions
In transitioning from federally funded and delivered care to provincial or territorial systems, Veterans commonly report challenges with finding a family physician and transferring medical information. 5 Some Veterans may distrust government institutions if they experienced moral injury, systemic discrimination, or violence during service. 5 Veterans may have reservations about disclosing health issues owing to fear that doing so will affect their eligibility for benefits with Veterans Affairs Canada. 5 Physicians should be transparent about delays (e.g., how long it will take to see a specialist or schedule a surgery) to promote trust. 4 Aspects of military service can make it more difficult for Veterans with chronic pain and mental illness to cope
Challenges include stigma regarding seeking help, associating pain with weakness, or concerns about not “pulling their weight.” Using a communication tool, 4 clinicians should inquire whether these factors resonate with patients as they can affect care trajectories and treatment success. Refer to a Veteran’s time in the military as “service”
If clinicians have questions about a patient’s time in the military, they should avoid using the words “employment” or “work” and instead ask them about their service (e.g., “When you were serving …”). 4 Clinicians can learn about Veterans’ experiences in a supportive and nonjudgmental manner and communicate that they are there […]
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