How Medicines Work: Understanding the Appropriate Use of Analgesia
In this lecture, Dr Gowan firstly, reviews common types of pain. There is emphasis on the need to perform a thorough assessment prior to initiating a medication regimen. Symptoms and causes are reviewed, and the goal of pain management discussed, including the importance of non-drug strategies.
Routes of administration of medicines are considered. Opioids, NSAIDs, paracetamol and combination analgesics are discussed in detail including their appropriate use and dose, their potential risks and their side effects.
The application of the World Health Organisation (WHO) STEPwise approach to pain management and the administration of analgesics are included. Serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening drug reaction, is defined and discussed. The benefits of a multi-disciplinary approach to pain management are emphasised. This is a highly informative illustrated lecture.
The authors of this educational activity were:
- Dr Jenny Gowan, Registered and Consultant Pharmacist, Melbourne, Australia
- Dr Jennifer Gibson, Doctor of Pharmacy, Registered Pharmacist (USA),
- Associate Professor Louis Roller, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Australia
- All authors have disclosed that there are no relevant financial commercial relationships to products or devices related to the content of this educational activity.
Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications have been used.
AusmedOnline included peer review in the development of this educational material.
This CPD (CE) activity will expire on 30 December 2012 after which CPD (CE) hours will not be valid.
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This audio-visual publication contains a variety of content on health for general educational and informative purposes only. The content of this material is not diagnostic or prescriptive and does not replace the service or advice of a qualified health care professional. The Publisher does not purport to give any medical advice and is not qualified to do so. While the Publisher has taken every care to ensure the accuracy of the professional, clinical, and technical components of this audio-visual publication, it accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of following the procedures described or acting on information set out in this audio-visual publication. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher and the performers expressly disclaims responsibility for and liability in respect of, the accuracy of the content in this audio-visual publication.
© 2011 Ausmed Publications Pty Ltd
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© 2011 Ausmed Publications Pty Ltd
On completion of the activity, the learner should be able to:
- Identify the different categories of pain
- Recognise the need for performing a thorough pain assessment prior to initiating treatment
- Distinguish between the three major types of analgesics, and their benefits
- Recognise the appropriate use for each main category of analgesics
- Apply the World Health Organisation (WHO) Stepwise approach to pain management and the administration of analgesics
- Identify the potential side effects of each type of analgesic including serotonin syndrome
- Optimise pain management by utilising a multi-disciplinary approach
Presenters Name: Jenny Gowan, PhD.
Original series developed by Jennifer Gibson Pharm. D. (USA)
Jenny Gowan PhD, is a Consultant Pharmacist to the North East Valley Division of General Practice, Melbourne, Australia. A practicing pharmacist, she is also a Special Lecturer in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, and is a member of the Editorial Advisory Committee of the Aus-DI, Australian Drug Information for the Health care professional, and a member of the Guidelines Committee for the 2012 NAC Asthma Management Handbook. An accredited consultant pharmacist, she conducts her own company and partnership, MediCom Medication Management Services, specialising in medication reviews, and Quality Use of Medicines. Dr Gowan is a recipient of the Sanofi-Aventis Gold Medal.
Jennifer L. Gibson, Pharm.D. is a clinical pharmacist and medical writer, editor, and lecturer in the United States. Throughout her career, she has worked in the pharmaceutical industry, the medical education field, genomics and DNA sequencing research, and the non-profit sector. Dr. Gibson is an experienced hospital pharmacist. She is the author of numerous pharmacy textbooks and medical reference guides. Dr. Gibson uses her work to advocate for safe and effective medication use in all dimensions of health and wellness.
Edited for Australia by
MediCom Medication Management Services
