Project Description
The Pfizer public forums were launched in 2007 with NeP kNOw More Putting Neuropathic Pain on the Podium as a national neuropathic pain disease awareness initiative. The initial program included 10 free public forums held across Canada in 2007 and 2008. At each forum, there was participation from key patient associations, local physicians who had a specialty in pain treatment and management, as well as a patient living with neuropathic pain who humanized this disease. These forums were attended by Canadians living with neuropathic pain as well as their friends, families and caregivers. Due to the overwhelming success of the forums in 2007, we created an audio cast of each forum. In 2009, we developed a similar series of public forums to bring to light issues surrounding Canadians living with fibromyalgia. Three forums were held in 2009, and six more in 2010. In each community we again reached out to patient associations, local health professionals, and a spokesperson that has fibromyalgia to share their personal story of living with pain. Media in the different cities covered the forums with interviews with the doctors and patient spokespeople.
Results
Over the duration of the program, more than 3,000 individuals attended the public forums. Each of the events was highly rated by attendees based on content and presentation. Pfizer Canada solidified relationships with key physicians and had the opportunity to more fully engage in discussion with patient group representatives. In addition, the client gained greater visibility as the leader in the area of disease awareness for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. All objectives were met and as a result, the two-year program was extended and expanded and the public forum series continued through 2009 and in 2010.
