New pain management program for patients in the early stages of injury

General practitioners, allied health professionals and hospitals who have patients that may be in the early stages of injury and experiencing pain, may be able to refer them to a new program being offered by Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN).

The GCPHN Early Intervention Sub-Acute Pain Program provides fully-subsidised group based education, and is focused on early intervention, to help a patient return to normal functions quickly, so that the impact of an injury on day-to-day life is prevented.

Program Manager, Joyce McSwan, says the program has a number of strategies to help individuals recover quickly. This includes access to allied health professionals who specialise in recovery and pain management and development of tailored management plans.

“We support multidisciplinary strategies so that participants can explore a range of different approached to optimise their recovery and resolve pain promptly,” Ms McSwan said.

“We help patients to understand the latest in pain management within the areas of movement, function, mental health and safe medication use and build a supportive network of skilled health professionals.

“Information is practical, including hearing from people who are good managers of their own persistent pain, and we also provide a range of tools to empower patients and help them become better manage their pain,” Ms McSwan said.

Dr Karmakar, Senior Medical Officer, Emergency and General Medicine in QLD Health, says such a program will be helpful  to identify and manage pain conditions that are not resolving, particularly important in the early stages.

“Not only is the patient’s prognosis better overall, but it creates less recurring presentations in the emergency departments. This is such a good initiative and as an ED medical officer I see too many who come in our doors who, if managed early by such a program, would not need to come to us and achieve better pain management,” Dr Karmarkar said.

The program’s eligibility criteria includes requirements that patients are 18 years and above, have experienced pain for 6-12 weeks and are not suitable for surgical interventions.

For more information contact Joyce McSwan at tpigpainprogram@painwise.com.au