PUBLIC PAIN MANAGEMENT FORUMS
The Pain Management Research Institute (PMRI) was established in 1990 as a joint initiative between the University of Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital. As a division of the Kolling Institute of Medical Research, PMRI pursues its broad goal of improving human health by:
- conducting basic and clinical research programs
- operating a national and international education program
- and, in collaboration with the Pain Management & Research Centre (PMRC), treating patients with acute pain, cancer pain, and chronic non-cancer pain.
In a joint venture between the club, Northbridge Rotary (subject to confirmation) and hopefully other surrounding clubs, it is proposed that a series of public awareness forums be held at the Kolling Institute. The formula is very similar to the Mental Health Forums staged by North Shore Rotary Clubs between 2005 & 2010.
The 2015-16 Board has agreed to endorse the project led by Philip Smith & Les Walsh. Stay tuned for developments!
The project involves:
- PMRI meeting costs
- A public forum featuring:
- A presentation by a learned professor or similar on an aspect of pain
- A panel of three patients speaking of their experience
- Q&A
- Exhibitors attending before/after
- The next step
- Rotary’s involvement would include:
- Spreading the word through local contacts & organisations encouraging attendance
- Some attendance by volunteers at each forum
- Advertising on club websites
- No cost
- Other clubs' support to be encouraged
- PMRI would benefit from:
- A wider network
- Participation in trials
- The increased awareness of the issue and improved public health
- Donations perhaps
- Awareness/attendance at the ADAPT multi-discipline Pain Management program
The first forum is timed for probably early September and the topic has yet to be agreed. Subsequent forums would focus on particular types of pain.