New Pain Management Training Boosts Patient Care, Royal Australian College Of General Practitioners

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) SA & NT Faculty is launching the SA Chapter of Pain Management, which will form part of the RACGP’s ‘Faculty of Specific Interest’. This is an initiative of the RACGP to recognise GPs who develop and practise special skills to enhance their provision of whole-person care to their patients.

The RACGP SA & NT Faculty, in conjunction with the Royal Adelaide Hospital Pain Management Unit, have developed a unique, user-friendly and online, pain assessment training program, to support South Australian GPs in managing their patients’ experiences with chronic pain.

The launch of the RACGP SA Chapter of Pain Management will take place on Tuesday, 2 December 2008, 7.00pm at Chloe’s Restaurant, 36 College Road, Kent Town in South Australia. Journalists are invited to join the launch of this important new patient care initiative.

“There is a huge demand for chronic pain management services in South Australia and although current services are working at capacity, this demand is still not met,” said Dr Stephen Leow, project advocate and member of the SA&NT Faculty Board.

“With the launch of this new pain assessment training program, the RACGP SA&NT Faculty is aiming to upskill the primary care workforce to better manage chronic pain in the community; expanding services to our patients.

“While there are many post-graduate courses in the management of chronic pain, until now none have been developed specifically for GPs. This training will equip GPs with the most current knowledge and latest skills to effectively manage chronic pain for our patients.

“As this new interactive pain management tool is available online, GPs can access it 24/ 7; at any time that suits them,” said Dr Leow.

Funding for this project came from a collaboration between private and government sources. Special thanks to: The Government of South Australia – SA Department of Health, Pfizer Australia, Mundipharma and Janssen-Cilag.

The RACGP has independently created this activity and holds editorial rights over it.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice. The RACGP has the largest general practitioner membership of any medical organisation in Australia and represents the majority of Australia’s general practitioners.

Article Links:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/131277.php

http://www.racgp.org.au/

Article Opinions:

The Start Of A New Beginning??

posted by Melanie on 13 Dec 2008 at 3:55 am

This is fantastic news. I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 and it took me over a year to be diagnosed. I have had GP’s admit to my face that they do not know what it is, that is fine though because I value honesty. with the waiting lists to get into pain specialists far too long this is something that is by far over due.

Many doctors still dismiss pain complaints from patients, by a) not medicating appropiately b) not referring the patient on to a Pain Management Team. I have had emails from organisations from the other side of the world who have had an Australian patient email for help because they are in so much pain and are asking for help.

So is this the start of a new beginning??
Will this lead to GP’s being able to diagnose/recognise chronic pain syndromes and begin appropriate (and know what is appropriate) medication whilst sending a patient on route to a specialist for back up and confirmation and possible further treatments?? This could result in less time spent at a Pain Clinic and free up the resources for high priority cases.

I suppose we have to start somewhere to fight this invisible epidemic!!

Thanking you
Melanie