Chronic pain is usually defined as pain which has persisted beyond normal healing time. It affects more than 20% of the population. Most of these patients are managed in the community by their General Practitioners and in most cases primary care offers the potential to address all aspects of chronic pain.
The Waitematā Pain Service is a multidisciplinary team dedicated to assisting Waitematā patients manage their pain better.
Pain management is about improving quality of life. It often involves learning different ways of thinking and acting so that pain interferes less with life. A self-management approach usually requires an individual and their whānau to play an active role in their pain management. This approach emphasises an improvement in both quality of life and overall function, rather than a cure. We work in close conjunction with your General Practitioners and other hospital specialists. We are realistic in planning sensible and achievable goals. We do not 'take over' patient management but act to support your GP.
For most of our patients pain has been present for a long time - the average duration of pain before referral is 7 years. Improving people's quality of life after such a long period of time also takes time and is not an overnight process. Individuals who seek a quick fix, or are searching for specific physical interventions, will tend to be less successful than those who are prepared to look at all modes of management (including psychology and activity programmes) and to work towards realistic goals which may take months and years rather than days and weeks to achieve. We believe working towards a realistic and sustainable improvement in quality of life is worth doing and has the potential to transform people's lives.
Staff
- Consultants (see below under "Consultants")
- Mark Cranswick - Senior Physiotherapist
- Prerit Botadra - Senior Physiotherapist
- Kim Edmeades - Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Psychologist- currently vacant position
- Dr David Rice - Senior Research Officer
- Jill Collier- Senior Research Officer
- Monika Skarin - Research Officer