Question 1

What does the Transitional Pain Service (TPS) do?

Accepted Answer

The TPS clinic helps patients deal with pain after surgery in the transition from hospital to home. We also work with patients who take high dose opioids and need help with medication management and opioid weaning.   We offer a range of services to help patients manage their pain problems according to their unique needs.   Our multidisciplinary team works with patients and their families to develop a pain management plan that takes advantage of one or more of the following services available at the clinic: medication management, interventional pain procedures, psychotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and patient education.

Question 2

How are patients referred to the TPS clinic?

Accepted Answer

Usually, patients are referred to the TPS clinic because of one or more of the following reasons: ​ - they are at a high risk for developing chronic pain problems after surgery  - they report chronic pain problems after surgery  - they need help with managing opioid pain medications   Patients can be referred to the TPS by a member of their surgical team, by the Acute Pain Service physicians or nurse practitioners, or by a primary care physician.

Question 3

What happens after referral?

Accepted Answer

Once a patient is referred to the TPS clinic and discharged from the hospital after surgery, a member of the TPS will contact the patient to provide a clinic appointment. ​ For patients who live in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), clinic appointments are held at the Toronto General Hospital on the 12th floor. Please visit the Contact Us page for directions to the TPS clinic.   Telehealth services are also available for patients who are not able to come to the hospital for appointments.

Question 4

What happens during visits to the TPS clinic?

Accepted Answer

At the TPS clinic, patients will first meet with a physician who specializes in pain. The physician will review the patient's needs and create an individualized approach to pain management for each patient. ​ Based on the patient's needs, the physician may recommend the services of other TPS members, such as the clinical psychologists or the physiotherapist. ​ The TPS team will continue to book follow-up appointments for patients until TPS services are no longer needed, usually from 6 weeks to 6 months. ​ Once the patient's pain is stabilized, pain management will be referred back to the patient's primary care physician (e.g., family doctor) or a chronic pain physician.