In June of this year 4,800 general practitioners across the country received written warnings by the Australian Federal Government Department of Health around the number of opioid prescriptions they are issuing in an effort to reduce the number of deaths associated with opioid use. In 2011-2015 there were 2,145 deaths attributed to opioids. The GPs targeted were those in the top 20 percent of GPS with the highest rate of opioid prescriptions.
More than 81,000 Australians visit a GP every day for a pain-related issue and primary health care services manage 95 percent of people experiencing chronic pain. Yet research shows that only a third of GPs feel comfortable managing chronic pain patients. Pain Australia, a national peak body which aims to improve the life of people living with pain, state that GPs needed better training in pain management as well as more awareness of treatment options.
Calls for more pain management support
Managing chronic pain in a patient, especially where there is no obvious cause, can involve a range of health professionals. GPs take on the role of coordinating a patient’s pain management plan, providing referrals to physiotherapists, psychologists, neurologists and other health professionals. GPs are also expected to provide pain education to their patients.
The Australian Patients Association, an independent not-for-profit organisation established to promote and protect the rights and interests of patients, earlier this month called for chronic pain coordinators to be standard in every GP clinic. It is proposed that the pain coordinator assist patients with access to specialists, including pain specialist services, and also with medication compliance.
The Association feels that GP clinics are an ideal accessible location in which healthcare staff trained in pain management could also advise patients on treatment, including medication, and assist with tracking results.