Human Resources: CANADIAN SURVEY FINDS THAT FOUR-IN-TEN CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERERS ARE NOT WORKING

TORONTO, November 5, 2009 – Chronic pain is taking a toll on the country’s workplace, a new survey reveals, as four-in-ten (37 per cent) unemployed or retired Canadians living with chronic pain are not working as a direct result of their condition. One-third of working chronic pain sufferers have had to scale back the amount of hours they work as a result of their pain, while those living with severe chronic pain also miss an average of 3.4 work days a month.[i]

Chronic pain, defined as pain of at least six months’ duration,[ii] affects nearly one-quarter of the Canadian population.[iii] According to survey results, 77 per cent of chronic pain sufferers report experiencing moderate to severe pain.1 The Chronic Pain in the Workplace survey was conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Janssen-Ortho Inc. in consultation with Shepell.fgi, Canada’s leading provider of health and productivity solutions.

Effects of Chronic Pain are Far-Reaching
This survey supports existing data, which found that patients suffering from chronic pain reported greater absenteeism at work than people who do not have chronic pain.3 Similarly, the Chronic Pain in the Workplace survey found that chronic pain has led people to become less confident in their abilities (64 per cent); moreover, of those who work and experienced breakthrough pain, the large majority (85 per cent) agree that pain impacts their quality of life while at work and the ability to do their job and concentrate.1 Furthermore, one-third of respondents have even considered leaving their job permanently or for an extended period of time as a result of the pain they experience.1

“Chronic pain is more common than many people realize, and has a major impact on a person’s everyday life, especially on one’s professional career,” says Paula Allen, vice president, Organizational Solutions & Training, Shepell.fgi. “The survey reveals that an overwhelming majority of Canadians with moderate to severe pain believe that their condition is holding them back in their career, and say their job aggravates their pain. This study speaks volumes about the need to raise awareness about chronic pain in the workplace, and stresses how supportive employers need to be with effective health and wellness programs.”

The study found that a staggering nine-in-ten (90 per cent) say they experience pain on the job,

with six-in-ten (64 per cent) noting that their job aggravates the frequency of their chronic pain.1 Despite the pain they experience, more than half (52 per cent) of those living with chronic pain agree with the notion that their employer doesn’t like it when they have to take time off from work as a result of their pain.1

“In light of the magnitude of the problems associated with this condition, it is troubling to see that six-in-ten of those afflicted (62 per cent) said their workplace does not have a wellness program that includes a component about preventing or living with chronic pain,” says Allen.

Chronic Pain Unmanaged
Available treatment options are also a topic of interest to sufferers, with nearly one-half (47 per cent) indicating they are dissatisfied with the treatments they are currently taking to manage their pain. Those who suffer from severe chronic pain were the most likely to report dissatisfaction with the treatments they are taking.

Dr. Kevin Rod, Director, Toronto Poly Clinic pain management centre, understands the results of the survey. “I see first-hand the effects of chronic pain on people’s everyday lives, especially at work. It does not surprise me that the survey found that more than three-quarters of patients would be willing to seek an alternative form of treatment to alleviate the effects of their condition. Having chronic pain is difficult to live with, but there is hope for sufferers. New and improved options are available to chronic pain patients, which provide effective relief of chronic pain.”

Philip Skorpid, a mail carrier from Toronto, has been living with chronic pain for eight years. “As a mail delivery man, you need to feel good in order to do your job well. But when you’re always in pain, it’s challenging to perform your job. When I visited my doctor to learn about ways to treat my chronic pain, I was relieved to find out about the newer options.”

About Shepell.fgi
For 30 years, Shepell.fgi has been Canada’s leading provider of health and productivity solutions. Serving 7,000 clients and more than eight million employees and family members, Shepell.fgi strengthens the health of people and organizations across North America and internationally.

About Janssen-Ortho Inc.
Janssen-Ortho Inc. is a healthcare company committed to providing Canadians with innovative treatment options that enhance and improve life. Headquartered in Toronto, the company offers a broad range of medications used in psychiatry, dementia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, psoriasis, pain management, women’s health, infectious disease, anemia, oncology, and virology.

About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada’s market intelligence leader and the country’s leading provider of public opinion research. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 300 research professional and support staff in Canada. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group. To learn more, visit www.ipsos.ca.