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The ECHO Education Event (E3) is a two-day event that will be presented as a composite of didactic and interactive teaching, focusing on core competencies in acute and chronic pain management, which includes physical, psychosocial and pharmacological strategies.

SickKids Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL)

686 Bay Street (Dundas & Bay) | Toronto, ON.

E3 will take place in the Gallery. When you enter the PGCRL you may take the stairs on the left or the elevator (on the right of the security desk) to the 2nd  floor.

Pre-event to do list:

Day 1 - Thursday, November 20, 2025

Breakfast is served at 800.

Day 1 features presentations and workshops on pain education, practical management skills, physical and psychological assessment, and acute pain management, including “CARD“.

General Preparation Resources:

Video Resources:

Click +/- to expand or collapse Day 1 – preparation materials.

Day 2 - Friday, November 21, 2025

Breakfast is served at 800.

Day 2 involves using skills from Day 1 in simulation activities, followed by a scheduled ECHO session with the Pain Management ECHO community.

Simulation Forms, Resources and Materials:

Forms to be completed: 

Resources and Materials:

Click +/- to expand or collapse Day 2 – simulation materials.

Agenda

Day 1 - Enhancing your skills.

Click + for more information on each agenda item.

800 - 900: Registration & Breakfast

Join us for breakfast in the gallery of the SickKids Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL).

900 - 920: Overview of Pain in Children

Presented by Dr. Naiyi Sun

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the context of chronic pain in children​
  • Describe the prevalence of chronic pain in children, and common pediatric pain presentations/diagnoses​
  • Describe the importance of assessing pain in children using a biopsychosocial model

View Presentation Slides

920 - 950: How to Explain Pain

Presented by Sara Klein, PT

Learning Objectvies

  • Describe the importance of pain neuroscience as part of chronic pain treatment​
  • Review the basic neuroscience of chronic pain​
  • Review how to explain pain to children and their families in order to improve readiness for 3P approach for intervention

View Presentation Slides

950 - 1020: Physical Assessment

Presented by Brittany Wu, PT

Learning Objectives

  • Explain a systematic approach to support and guide a physical assessment of a child in persistent pain.
  • Identify key features in a neuromuscular assessment in the context of a child presenting with persistent pain.
  • Build confidence in recognizing how to be creative with assessment skills in varying circumstances when assessing a child in pain either in-person or virtually.

View presentation slides

1020 - 1030: Break

Light refreshments will be served. Complete the dietary restriction request form if applicable.

1030 - 1115: Acute Pain Management

Presented by Dr. Heather Cary, MD

Learning Objectives

  • Reflect on pain assessment tools ​
  • Develop approaches ​to acute pain management
  • Apply your approach ​to clinical cases

View Presentation Slides

1115 - 1125: Break

Light refreshments will be served. Complete the dietary restriction request form if applicable.

1125 - 1225: EDI Workshop

Presented by Riley Featherston, RN, MN

Learning Objectives

  • Review the connection between health equity and unconscious bias
  • Describe how our social positionality influences our biases
  • Describe the impact of unconscious bias on clinical care
  • Discuss critical self-reflection strategies to foster culturally safe patient care in pain management

View Presentation Slides

1225 - 1330: Lunch & Booth Exhibit

During the lunch-hour on Day 1, we are delighted to showcase a selection of our esteemed partners.

1330 - 1400: The CARD System

Presented by Dana Kondo, CLCLS & Mandi Kohli, M.R.T(N), BSc

Learning Objectives

  • Describe how the CARD system minimizes needle procedure-related fear and pain
  • Differentiate how the CARD system differs from traditional healthcare provider-led approaches for pediatric procedural pain management
  • Evaluate current approaches and how the CARD system can be incorporated into your healthcare setting

View Presentation Slides

1400 - 1410: Body Break

Light refreshments will be served. Complete the dietary restriction request form if applicable.

1410 - 1440: Psychological Assessment

Presented by Dr. Danielle Ruskin, Psych

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize patient criteria for psychological assessment​
  • Identify key components of a pain psychology assessment​
  • Discuss strategies to build engagement during the assessment of psychological factors​
  • Identify important considerations when assessing cases with significant mental health needs

View Presentation Slides

1440 - 1450: Break

Light refreshments will be served. Complete the dietary restriction request form if applicable.

1450 - 1615: 5 Rotating Workshops for Practical Pain Management

  1. Return to School by Sarah Ohana, OT
  2. Desensitization by Britanny Wu, PT
  3. Sleep Hygiene by Michelle Wong, PT
  4. Mindfulness by Dr. Danielle Ruskin, CPsych
  5. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) by Selena Santos PT, MSc

1615 - 1620: Closing & Wrap-Up

Important information to prepare for Day 2.

Day 2 - Applying your skills.

Click + for more information on each agenda item.

800 - 845: Breakfast & Community Building

Join us in the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning Gallery (2nd Floor) for breakfast and networking.

845 - 1145: Simulation Activities

Participants will rotate through two 75-minute simulation scenarios.

Simulation Scenario 1: Hanna’s Pain Assessment – Getting a Patient History

Facilitated by Allison Dodds, RN, BScN, MEd

Learning Objectives:

  • Learners will identify at least 3 of the correct domains of the biopsychosocial assessment of pain including attitudes/beliefs, physical function, sleep, school, emotional, family, social
  • Learners will demonstrate effective interviewing skills to complete the assessment of the above domains for both patient and caregiver
  • Learners will demonstrate a collaborative interprofessional team approach to complete a subjective assessment

Simulation Scenario 2: Ella’s Physical & Psychological Assessment

Facilitated by Riley Featherston, RN, MN

Learning Objectives

  • Learners will demonstrate a pain focused physical examination.
  • Learners will review the limits of confidentiality with patient
  • Learners will demonstrate an assessment of substance use and psychosocial function with the adolescent on their own.

1145 - 1200: Break

Light refreshments will be served. Complete the dietary restriction request form if applicable.

1200 - 1300: Lunch & ECHO Session: Biofeedback

The ECHO Session will be broadcasted in the Gallery during lunch where you will join the rest of the ECHO community.

Presented by Dr. Samantha Huestis, PhD

1300 - 1400: Takeaway Celebrations

Dr. Naiyi Sun will facilitate reflections and key takeaways to end the November 2025 ECHO Education Event.

Understanding Simulation-Based Learning at E3

What is Simulation?

Simulation is a hands-on training method where participants practise tasks and processes in realistic scenarios. You will receive constructive feedback from both observers and peers, designed to help you improve your skills. This interactive, experiential learning approach mirrors real-life situations within a safe and supportive environment, free from judgement.

Recommended Pre-reading: Simulation-Based Medical Education in Pediatrics

Simulation-Based Learning encompasses a range of structured activities that reflect actual or potential situations encountered in education and professional practice. These activities are designed to help you build and refine your knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and to respond thoughtfully to realistic challenges in a simulated setting.

What to Expect on Day 2

  • The simulation training session will require you to apply the skills and knowledge acquired on Day 1.
  • You can participate as either an Active Participant or an Observer in the simulation scenarios. Please note: active participants and observers earn credits from different sections.
  • Interested in being an active participant? Learn more about accreditation and sign up by completing the Simulation Active Role Sign-Up Form.
  • Hard copies of the participant guide will be available at the event. Alternatively, you may access a digital version on your device.

Speakers & Facilitators

Dr. Naiyi Sun

Dr. Naiyi Sun, MD

Anaesthesiologist | ECHO Medical Lead

Sara Klein, PT Physiotherapist

Sara Klein, PT

Physiotherapist | ECHO Medical Lead

Brittany Wu, PT

Physiotherapist

Dr. Danielle Ruskin, C.Psych

Clinical Psychologist

Dana Kondo, MSc, CCLS

Certified Child Life Specialist

Mandy Kohli M.R.T(N), BSc

Clinical Instructor

Dr. Heather Cary, MD

Paediatric Emergency Medicine Physician

Riley Featherston, RN, MN

Interprofessional Education Specialist

Sarah Ohana, OT

Occupational Therapist

Michelle Wong, PT

Physiotherapist

Selena Santos, PT, MSc

Physiotherapy Resident

Alison Dodds, RN, BScN, MEd

Alison Dodds, RN, BScN, MEd

SickKids Simulation Educator

Dr. Samantha Huestis, PhD

Paediatric Psychologist

Partners

AboutKidsHealth

AboutKidsHealth is a health education website for children, youth and their caregivers.

Connected Care

Connected Care is a program that works to enhance experience with transitions and build confidence, competence and shared understanding among children with medical complexity, their families and health care providers. Located at SickKids, Connected Care offers a range of services and partners across the continuum of care to coordinate, improve health and safety, spread standards of paediatric practice and deliver greater value across the health system.

ECHO Epilepsy Across the Lifespan

https://oen.echoontario.ca/

Obtain free CME credits, case based learning and more. All ECHO programs are free to participate for all health care providers in any health care setting in Ontario.

Sessions are accessed online via teleconferencing sessions that include didactic lectures and an interactive discussion of de-identified patient cases. Gain enhanced skills and confidence in managing epilepsy safely and effectively.

Kids Health Alliance

Kids Health Alliance is a not-for-profit network of organizations that collaborate to make tangible improvements in care for children and youth.​ With our partners, we will achieve a better child, youth and family experience, improve health outcomes and generate greater value.​

Knowledge Translation Professional Certificate Program

The KT program provides thought leadership and offers professional development, support and tools for KT across the hospital and in the community, both nationally and internationally.  The KT Program works with KT professionals, clinicians, researchers, educators, funders and other organizations to strengthen KT capacity, develop the KT profession, support growth of KT-friendly organizations and create research impact.  We offer professional development opportunities that help learners share research findings, implement new practices and programs, learn from one another, foster communication and improve collaboration skills.

Pain Centre

The SickKids Pain Management, Research and Education Centre (Pain Centre) is a leading international paediatric centre in pain prevention and treatment.

Simulation Program at SickKids

The Simulation Program at SickKids (SimKids) is an ever expanding, diverse, collaborative program that has been in formal operation since 2009. The SimKids was initially accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2013 and most recently renewed in 2018. The SimKids supports over 5,400 learners and facilitates more than 20,000 learner hours each year.

Other Resources

Paediatric Project ECHO is funded by the Ministry of Health and is a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.