Overview

The Alberta Virtual Pain Program (AVPP) is a free online program for adults living in Alberta with ongoing pain. You'll learn practical ways to manage pain, connect with others, and get support from healthcare providers. The program includes interactive sessions and follow-up support for up to one year.

Topics

The Alberta Virtual Pain Program (AVPP) is an education and self-management program for adults living in Alberta experiencing chronic pain. This program is led by trained clinical facilitators from Primary Care Alberta.

Topics covered in the sessions include:

• Pain, loss, and life transitions
• Values and goal setting
• The neuroscience of pain
• Movement
• Stress and mood
• Medicines
• Communicating about pain
• Sleep
• Nutrition

Eligibility

The Alberta Virtual Pain Program is free and available to people who:

• Are 18 years or older.
• Live in Alberta and will stay in Alberta while taking part in the program.
• Have lived with pain for more than 3 months.
• Are not attending another chronic pain program right now.
• Are comfortable with English (or have someone who can help during sessions).
• Have a quiet, safe space to join online.
• Have access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet and webcam.

A referral from a healthcare provider is not required to join this program.

How to register

By phone

A nurse will call you to ask which program you're interested in (group or self-led). Have your information ready:

• Legal name 
• Alberta Personal Health Number
• Email address 
• Moving My Way
• Emergency contact 
• If you're attending because of a WCB claim

The nurse will:

• Confirm your eligibility to take part in the program, complete your registration, and review the available program dates and times with you.
• Ask if you'd like your primary care provider to know you're taking part in the program. If you don't have a primary care provider, they can share resources to help you find one.
• Confirm how you'd like to receive messages (email or MyChart).

Don’t worry if there isn’t a date that works for you. You’ll be given a number to call back in a few months to learn about more dates.

Online registration (self-led only)

You may also register online for the self-led program.

After registering

Group sessions

• You'll get a confirmation letter (by email or MyChart) with more details including a Zoom link to join your first session. 
• Attendance for the first session is mandatory – you must attend this session. If you can't make the first session, you'll need to join another group (or be added to the waitlist).
• Before the sessions begin, you'll receive a survey link. Your answers help us understand your starting point, track your progress, and see how well the program works overall.

Self-led sessions

If you register with a nurse for the self-led program, you'll receive an email with:

• Alberta mental health resources
• Alberta chronic pain resources
• Topic-specific resources to support your learning
• A link to a short survey to understand your starting point and track progress

Upcoming workshops

It's best to complete the group or self-led sessions before starting these workshops. This will give you a better understanding and help you get the most out of your learning.