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Pain management

Pain management. Learning objectives. At the end of the workshop you will be able to: Consider the important principles of pain and pain management Use validated tools to assist in assessing patients pain Outline strategies to manage pain with your patients

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Pain management

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  1. Pain management

  2. Learning objectives At the end of the workshop you will be able to: • Consider the important principles of pain and pain management • Use validated tools to assist in assessing patients pain • Outline strategies to manage pain with your patients • Discuss pain medicines with your patients

  3. What is pain? • A message to the brain, pain is a ’whole body’ experience and involves both the mind and the body • Usually a protective mechanism to warn us to be more careful of our bodies • It hurts and may cause suffering or distress • Different for different people: it is whatever the person says hurts

  4. Types of pain • Acute pain can be important for the body to tell the brain that there is something wrong and help to avoid harm. • Chronic pain is pain that goes on for a long time. It needs regular assessment and a different approach to treatment.

  5. Chronic pain impacts on the whole person and their community • Ask your patients about any changes that have happened in their lives since their ongoing pain started. • For example: • How are you sleeping? • Are you feeling worried or sad? • Are you still visiting friends or relatives? • Are you eating well?

  6. Things to talk about: • How pain is affecting their life • Where the pain is, how bad the pain is • How long they have had the pain • What medicines they are taking for the pain (and any other conditions) • How the pain has affected them and their family • If they have any other problems or worries • Make sure people understand that it may not be possible to be pain-free at all times • Anticipation of pain

  7. How do we assess pain • Ask the patient: • To describe their pain • Rate their pain (use the faces scale based on how they perform everyday activities) • What made the pain worse or better • Observe the person’s body language (how freely do they move). • Talk with the person about how they feel, and how it affects their everyday life • Talk with their family when appropriate • Make sure people understand that itmay not be possible to be pain-free at all times REMINDER: Use the same pain assessment tool to keep a detailed record of the patients’ pain changes in the clinic notes.

  8. Managing chronic pain Treatment goals: To improve the level of activity To modify thoughts about pain and suffering To promote self-management To relieve pain to a tolerable level

  9. Managing chronic pain Tips on helping people to exercise Educate patients that there is a difference between ‘hurt’ and ‘harm’ when you have chronic pain. Avoiding physical activity can make their pain seem worse over time. Encourage patients to talk to their family and friends and not isolate themselves. Also get a family member or friend involved as their ‘exercise buddy’. You may wish to suggest some exercises to try e.g. walking, swimming, gentle stretching exercises. Remember to start slow with exercise as they may feel some discomfort initially, especially if they have been inactive for a long time.

  10. Medicines Key points: Use a step-wise approach to introduce pain medicines (analgesics) Prescribe regular doses of analgesics Plan a trial period with clear and specific instructions Review the effects on regular basis eg may need more frequent review for new medicines or when dose changes

  11. Analgesics – Non-opioid analgesics AMH 2010, CARPA 5th edition

  12. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) AMH 2010, CARPA 5th edition

  13. Short-acting and long-acting opioids Short-acting opioids codeine Tramadol hydromorphone Immediate-release morphine Immediate-release oxycodone Immediate-release tramadol Long-acting opioids Modifies release tramadol Methadone Modified-release hydromorphone Modified-release morphine Modified-release oxycodone Transdermal buprenorphine Transdermal fentanyl

  14. Opioid analgesics – Combination analgesics

  15. Opioid analgesics - Morphine AMH 2010, CARPA 5th edition

  16. Opioid analgesics - Tramadol AMH 2010, CARPA 5th edition

  17. Take home messages When you see a person who has pain: • Perform a thorough history and physical examination to determine if  referral is necessary • Discuss options for managing pain with the person • Recommend medicine only as part of an agreed pain management plan

  18. Resources • Australian Pain Management Association’s Pain Link Helpline (1300 340 357) • Australia’s National Phone Information and Support line (1800 218 921) Provide support for patients, their carers and health professionals. • Chronic pain Australia – www.chronicpainaustralia.org

  19. Your name Contact details

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