GPs and physiotherapists: Teaming up to fight chronic pain During National Pain week, newsGP looks at how physiotherapists and GPs can work together in an interdisciplinary approach to help patients with chronic pain to get moving.
How one website has made a difference to people experiencing chronic pain Dr Hester Wilson recalls her experiences in helping to develop the Pain Management Network website, a new tool for patients and healthcare professionals.
Pain and opioid use overloading health system: Report Pain and opioid use are major issues burdening the Australian healthcare system, latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare research has revealed.
When is the treatment worse than the disease? New research shows GPs can help patients avoid opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. Dr Hester Wilson, Chair of the RACGP’s Specific Interests Addiction Medicine network, considers how.
GPs can help patients manage chronic non-cancer pain – with fewer opioids Opioids are no longer a front-line treatment for chronic non-cancer pain.
Pharmacists’ codeine fears overstated, GP says While pharmacists have raised concerns about a shortage of low-dose codeine, Dr Evan Ackermann, a GP with a special interest in drugs of dependence, says the evidence supports up-scheduling.
One of the many faces of codeine addiction Jessica Khachan lives in Sydney with her husband and two kids, who are 14 and 12, in what she describes as ‘a normal suburban household’. She is also one of the increasing number of Australians with a history of codeine addiction.
RACGP President wants states to consider patient safety in codeine up-scheduling RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel has called on Australian health ministers to consider patients before making any decisions that will soften codeine regulations.
RACGP 12-point opioid challenge With the issue of pain management becoming increasingly prevalent in Australian healthcare, GPs are often at the forefront of dealing with patients experiencing chronic non-cancer pain. However, the role of opioids in treating these patients has raised increasing concerns about safety. ‘For many people, good pain management can transform their quality of life,’ RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said. ‘Unfortunately, what we have been seeing is an exploitation of painkilling medications.’
RACGP President says no need for further review of codeine restrictions RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel says the time for analysis of codeine up-scheduling is over and state governments’ statements on the issue are unhelpful when they lack evidence. ‘The evidence is clear: codeine is dangerous and the current situation is leading to very severe outcomes. One hundred codeine-related deaths per year is simply unacceptable, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg,’ Dr Seidel said.