Greenslopes Private Hospital is making an IMPACT in chronic pain At 78-years-old, nothing had ever kept Mr Ian “It doesn’t heal you,” Ian said of the Ian hopes that more people will have the McCamish off the golf course before. When his program. “But it teaches you to adjust to the same opportunity as him to learn to manage back suddenly seized up, though, Ian started condition you’re in so that you know how to their pain. “I still meet up for lunch and a couple to suffer from chronic pain. It was explained to live with it.” of drinks with the old group every now and Ian that his lower spine was deteriorating and then,” Ian said. “There’s this younger fellow The program draws on many specialties to that surgery wouldn’t improve his condition. who’s new to the program and he’s having maximise its effectiveness for participants. Ian Convinced he would never get back to the game trouble adjusting to it, but we’re all there to help was amazed by the wealth of knowledge and he loved, Ian was about to give up when a Pain him through. It’s that kind of support system.” compassion available to him from the program Rehabilitation consultant stopped him to talk coordinator and physiotherapist, occupational More information on The IMPACT program about the IMPACT Pain Program. therapist, psychologist, social worker, dietitian, can be obtained by contacting the Pain Program “I was as weak as a kitten then,” said Ian. and specialist pain nurse. Coordinator, Belinda Wannell, Monday – Friday “So I was willing to try anything they put in on 3394 7030. During his time in the program, Ian also front of me that would help me get back on had access to the dedicated Pain Program gym, the golf course.” which is outfitted with a range of equipment, The IMPACT (Independent Management including a Pilates trapeze table and clinical of Pain through Activity and Cognitive Therapy) reformer. Through his exercises and education, Pain Program is a five-week day program Ian learned to manage his pain. designed for patients like Ian who would “I didn’t think I’d be playing golf ever benefit from multidisciplinary rehabilitation again,” Ian admitted. “But now I’m playing and education regarding their persistent pain at least two times a week and having a bloody and how to manage it effectively. great time. It’s all thanks to IMPACT.” With this in mind, the Greenslopes Private Chronic pain impacts on a large proportion Hospital Rehabilitation Unit developed its of the Australian adult population and its interdisciplinary outpatient pain management prevalence is projected to increase as the program to cater for the growing number of population ages. Numbers of chronic pain patients referred to the unit with chronic pain. sufferers are estimated to grow from around Greenslopes Private Hospital CEO Mr Mark 3.2 million Australians in 2007 to 5.0 million Page said, “We are really pleased that we’ve by the year 2050 (Access Economics 2007). been able to implement The IMPACT program as often chronic pain sufferers can have great difficulty accessing such a service. This new service really complements our existing rehab services so well.” Ian was signed up for the program’s inaugural run in February 2012. He and his group attended two days a week for five weeks, focussing on graded physical rehabilitation together with a cognitive behavioural education component. The program provided Ian with a comprehensive education program to reinforce positive self management strategies and to help maintain an active and independent lifestyle. Above: Ian McCamish and Pain Program Coordinator Belinda Wannell Inserts: Participants of the IMPACT Program GPHnews 5
GPH News Winter 2012
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