The Ministry of Health and Social Development will be hosting a virtual pain management workshop next month in an effort to assist healthcare professionals and persons to reduce the effects of debilitating pain.
Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services, Mrs. Gracia-Wheatley Smith said there is a high percentage of persons living with chronic pain due to arthritis and other medical conditions, issues with the knees or back, persons suffering from chronic conditions that result in severe pain.
Mrs. Wheatley Smith said, “If we could master pain and stop letting pain master us, then we can have a better quality of life. We would be able to increase physical activity, work without pain or with a lesser degree of pain, and this will offer a more positive outlook on life.”
The workshop will be facilitated by Anesthesiologist Dr. Stephanie G. Vanterpool who is a targeted pain treatment clinician, researcher and advocate.
Mrs. Whealtey-Smith said participants can look forward to analysing case studies using the SCRIPT Steps, which include the Story of the pain, the Current symptoms, the Relevant medications, the Interventions, Physical therapy and the Tests. In addition, effective pain management assessments will be conducted and tips for accurate pain diagnosis will be shared.
“I invite everyone to take advantage of this workshop both health professionals and patients. Effective pain management can translate into persons living pain free lives or individuals living with minimal pain,” Mrs. Whealtey-Smith said.
Health professionals, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, geriatric aids, radiologists and persons experiencing chronic pain are invited to attend. The workshop is scheduled for June 12 at 7:00 p.m. virtually. The registration fee is $10.00 and interested persons can register by emailing grwheatley-smith@gov.vg or calling 468 9850. Deadline for registration is June 10 at 4:30 p.m.