Dr. Hance Clarke, MD, PhD, University Health Network
Hance Clarke is a staff anesthesiologist and the Director of Pain Services and the Pain Research Unit at the Toronto General Hospital. Dr. Clarke is currently the knowledge Translation Chair For the University of Toronto Centre For the Study of Pain and in 2016, Dr. Clarke was awarded an early Career Award from the Canadian Pain Society. He has been recognized internationally for his research productivity and improvements to patient care such as the development of the Transitional Pain Program. Dr. Clarke has also played a leading role in educating the Canadian public about pain control, risk factors for chronic opioid use, alternatives to opioids as a pioneering strategy at TGH, misconceptions about opioid use, and the need for further studies on understanding the beneficial and adverse effects of cannabis. He is a strong public champion of evidence-based solutions for the opioid crisis and a national pain and addictions strategy.
Abstract:Neuropathic pain is a major source of morbidity with an estimated 45 million people globally suffering from this condition. There are many causes of neuropathic pain and this condition has been treated with conventional analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents. First line therapeutic agents include anti-depressants and anti-convulsants and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)* . Yet many patients do not obtain relief from their pain. Opioids often become the mainstay of treating intractable neuropathic pain which can become problematic long-term. An overview of the use of cannabis in pain medicine and the its potential uses longterm will be discussed in this presentation.
*Moulin D, Boulanger A, Clark AJ, Clarke H, Dao T, Finley GA, Furlan A, Gilron I, Gordon A, Morley-
Forster PK, Sessle BJ, Squire P, Stinson J, Taenzer P, Velly A, Ware MA, Weinberg EL, Williamson OD;
Canadian Pain Society. Pharmacological management of chronic neuropathic pain: revised consensus
statement from the Canadian Pain Society. Pain Res Manag. 2014 Nov-Dec;19(6):328-35.
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