Group Outings

Once, during their four-week admission, patients participate in an 'outing'. The purpose of the outing is to encourage individuals to participate in an activity typically difficult for those experiencing chronic pain. 

As a group, patients leave the setting of the program, and together go to a determined place in the community, for example Chapters or Williams Coffee Pub at the waterfront for a couple of hours in the afternoon. 

Prior to going out, patients discuss challenges they might face managing their pain on the outing and various coping strategies are then reviewed. During the outing, patients are encouraged to practice these new strategies, and the available staff may further help them in that regard. After the outing, there is a debriefing / follow-up session at which patients are encouraged to review and evaluate how they managed.