When Pain Persists: Pain Management in Primary Health

"We've learned an enormous amount about chronic pain in the last decade and as a result.. .about 80% of patients can now be effectively managed." Professor Michael Cousins (ABC's World Today)

At the National Pain Summit, held in March 2010, pain was described as often inadequately or under treated. The Summit recommended that the most effective approach to pain management is a bio-psychosocial one, supported by a multidisciplinary team.
For rural and remote patients practical pain management steps pose significant challenges.

This program tackles these issues:
• What can primary health care professionals do to effectively treat patients in pain?
• What can they do to support patients to successfully self-manage?
• What are the pharmacological and non-pharmacological options for pain management?
• How do we incorporate pain management into care plans?
• When and how to seek specialist care.
• How to develop patient support care networks which include the GP and other health professionals.

With the right knowledge, skills and support structures, primary health care professionals are able to support patients to manage their pain. Patient education and self management can play an important role in the on-going management of persistent pain.

Associate Professor Michele Sterling was an advisor in researching the program.

Produced by the Rural Health Education Foundation