P-PAIN: Perinatal Pain Awareness Interest Network

Primary Contact and for further information:

Kaye Spence AM
Clinical Nurse Consultant – Neonatology
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, NSW
Kaye@chw.edu.au

Background

Issues surrounding pain in perinatal care have become a common focus for many of the perinatal disciplines. There is a drive for more research and a focus on getting evidence into practice.

 

In 2007 the NSW Branch of PSANZ held a Perinatal Pain Seminar in Sydney in conjunction with the Visiting Professor – Linda Franck. This was attended by over 130 individuals (we had to turn them away as venue was full) from multiple disciples – Scientists, Midwives, Neonatal Nurses, Neonatologists, Therapists, Anaethesists, Paediatricians and Epidemologists. The program was full of the many research approaches being undertaken regarding pain and its management. There was an expression of interest for the topics to be further explored and it was suggested that there be regular contact and information.

 

In addition, NICS (through the NH&MRC) funded a 2 year project on newborn pain and getting the evidence into practice. This project concluded in May 2008 and there needs to be some continuation regarding keeping the awareness raised from the project so that the changes that have occurred are sustained.

 

Other countries such as Canada and The Netherlands have national interest groups for newborn pain. We feel that by establishing a pain group as an affiliated group with PSANZ would enable Australia to continue on a national basis and at the same time expand to include all the disciplines with PSANZ thereby taking a lead internationally.

Aims of P-PAIN

 

• To provide a forum for sharing information about current research in perinatal pain.
• To distribute information on pain through a regular feature in the PSANZ newsletter
• To provide the opportunity for collaboration for research and education materials

 

Who should join?

 

Any member of PSANZ with an interest in the physiology, research and education of pain that can assist in providing evidenced-based practice for women and their babies.

 

Health professionals who are not currently members of PSANZ who have an interest in perinatal pain.

 

What is expected of the members of P-PAIN SIG ?

 

To assist in the forums by sharing experiences and ideas for future development.

To keep us informed of any research  you have been undertaking involving pain in the perinatal group of clients and patients.

To participate in the discussions of future research agenda for pain.

To assist in disseminating the information available.

 

Will the P_PAIN SIG meet often?

 

Hopefully we will provide a forum each year at the  PSANZ congress to enable individuals to meet and share information and ideas.

 

The provision of a ‘Pain Seminar’ to showcase new research findings and education strategies