Report from the Board

Board
Fellowship
Censor Issues
Finance
Education and Training
Examination
Training Unit Accreditation
Research
Administrative Instructions
Professional
Continuing Education
Communications
Corporate Affairs

Dean Elect

Dr Penny Briscoe, FANZCA was elected Dean-elect and will take office following the Annual General Meeting in May.

Fellowship

Three Fellows were admitted to Fellowship by training and examination and Associate Professor Wayne Gillett, FRANZCOG (NZ) and Dr James Bartley, FRACS (NZ) were admitted to Fellowship by election.

In accordance with Administrative Instruction 10.5 Fellowship was regretfully withdrawn from one Fellow whose subscriptions were two years in arrears.

Assessment of Occupational Trainee Visas

Correspondence from the Department of Health and Ageing with regard to the role of the specialist medical colleges in the assessment of occupational trainees (442 visas) raised concerns that the processes were confusing and not well defined.  It was agreed that a clear, consistent policy would be welcome so that trainees could be properly advised.  Meanwhile, Unit Directors and Supervisors are advised to contact the Faculty Office for guidance.

Recognition of Pain Medicine Specialists

The Board discussed the appropriate use of the term “pain specialist”.  As considerable efforts have gone in to establishing the Faculty it was agreed that its specialty status should be defended with any institution that accords specialist status to medical practitioners.  It was resolved that information be obtained from the relevant jurisdictions in Australia as to the criteria used to determine if someone is a pain medicine specialist.

 Finance

Reports to 31 December 2007 were not yet available. The 2008 FPM Budget has been accepted by Council without amendment. 

Education and Training        

FPM Training Program
Following input from Supervisors of Training, a Training Agreement was accepted for circulation to all current trainees and to all future trainees in their registration documentation.

 A Trainee Performance Review document was also accepted which sets out the processes for independent review to determine the future of a Trainee.  This process may be initiated by the Supervisor of Supervisors of Training in consultation with the Chair of the Education Committee, or by the Trainee.

Continuing Professional Development
An audit of 5% of Fellows 2006 MOPS participation showed compliance with the Fellows’ chosen program.  An audit of 2007 returns will be undertaken.  The Board strongly endorsed the new CPD program and encouraged participation.

Examination

The Board acknowledged the 100% pass rate at the 2007 examination and congratulations were expressed to the candidates and Supervisors of Training on this excellent result. It is proposed that the 2008 examination will be held in NSW on 26-28 November and the Pre-examination Short Course will again be held at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.  Candidates are advised not to book flights until dates and venues have been confirmed. 

Dr Julia Fleming has agreed to represent the Faculty on the ANZCA Primary Examination Committee.                      

Training Unit Accreditation

Burwood Hospital, Pain Management Centre, Christchurch was accredited for Pain Medicine Training for a period of 3 years.  The Hunter Integrated Pain Service, Newcastle, Royal Perth Hospital and Barbara Walker Centre for Pain Management, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne were approved for ongoing accreditation. There are currently 23 Faculty accredited training units. 

The Board is considering a range of options relating to accreditation of overseas units following interest from units in South East Asia.

Dr Melissa Viney has agreed to represent the Faculty on the ANZCA Hospital Accreditaiton Committee.

Research           

Pain Medicine Prizes
A number of abstracts have been submitted for the Dean’s Prize and Faculty Free Papers session at the 2008 ASM in Sydney. The Dean’s Prize will be awarded at the AGM to the paper judged to be a significant contribution to Pan Medicine and/or Pain Research.  For those not eligible for the Dean’s Prize, a Best Free Paper award, in the form of a certificate, will be made.                      

AROC Database
Contact has been made with the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre with regard to the possibility of using AROC to facilitate the Faculty’s outcome measures data.  The Faculty would be required to provide a data set and nominate a group of units who would participate.  AROC would need to find a funding source to support it.  A more formal presentation from the AROC Manager, is awaited. 

Administrative Instructions

A significant part of the Board meeting focused on a revision of the AI’s, now to be known as Regulations, with the intention of reflecting the new Board structure and addressing issues with regard to eligibility for entry into the training program and Fellowship.  A final draft incorporating the suggested amendments will be submitted to the May Board meeting for acceptance.

Professional

 Intercollegiate Relationships
Dr Alex Holmes, Chair, Section of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry met with the Board to discuss ways by which FPM trainees could more fully interact with psychiatry and how the Faculty might interest CL psychiatry trainees in Pain Medicine. 

A Memorandum of Understanding between the FPM, ANZCA and the RACP, RANZCP, RACS and AFRM RACP, developed to strengthen the bonds between the participating organisations and to facilitate interaction at a trainee and Fellow level, was finalised for submission to the relevant College and Faculty Presidents for signature.

Progress is being made toward establishing a working party with RANZCOG to look at pelvic pain in women.

Opioid Prescribing
The APS President and Vice President will meet with the Minister for Health to discuss the issues of pain in the elderly and in aged care institutions. This dovetails with the development of pain management guidelines on the use of opioid analgesics.  Associate Professor Milton Cohen will represent the Faculty at a meeting with the Minister’s advisors. It is hoped that the Federal Government will establish a program/committee to look at the whole issue of opioid prescribing in the context of the management of pain and opoid misuse. 

Another related initiative being progressed with the AMA is the issue of enhancing the management of pain in primary care.  This is currently on the table and has received a positivie reception.  Progress in these areas now depends on tripartite activity between the FPM, APS and government, with the issue of misuse of opioids a prominent theme.

Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee, Parliament of Victoria
A Final Report from the Inquiry into the Misuse/Abuse of Benzodiazepines and Other Forms of Pharmaceutical Drugs is now available online from this Inquiry: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/dcpc

Recognition of Pain Medicine as a Specialty – New Zealand
Rules for submission to the MCNZ have changed slightly, with the process now being a two part assessment.  A revised submission is underway.

TAC Policies on Spinal Injection and Radiofrequency Procedures, Pain Infusions and Implantable Pain Therapy

There was a consensus at the Board Meeting that the Faculty was not in a position to endorse these documents at this time and the TAC has been be advised accordingly.

Continuing Education

 Annual Scientific Meetings
Drs Susie Lord (NSW) and Charlotte Johnstone (NSW) will represent the Faculty at the 2008 New Fellows’ Conference. 

Dr Andrew Rice, UK, has accepted the invitation as the FPM Foundation Visitor and Dr Steven Passik has accepted the invitation as the Queensland Visitor (Pain Medicine) for the 2009 ASM in Cairns.

Dr Jeffrey Mogil (Canada) has accepted invitation as the FPM Foundation Visitor for the 2010 ASM in Christchurch.

Spring Meeting 2008
Plans for this combined meeting with the ANZCA/ASA/NZSA Acute Pain Special Interest Group and the IASP Acute Pain Special Interest Group are well advanced.  

Communications

The new Faculty website has been launched and Fellows and Trainees are invited to provide feedback and contributions.

Corporate Affairs

 Strategic Planning
The Board agreed on a new structure to take effect from May 2008.  A Fellowship Affairs portfolio has been developed with the aim of devoting more resources and energy into providing services to Fellows.  A Continuing Education and Quality Assurance Committee will be formed under this portfolio to focus on Quality Assurance Issues.

Board Election
Five nominations have been received for four places and a ballot will proceed.  Dr Frank New representing the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is elected unopposed.  

 Access Economics Report: The high price of pain: the economic impact of persistent pain in Australia

This report is available for viewing on the website: http://www.accesseconomics.com.au/publicationsreports/showreport.php?id=142

FPM Board

Education and Training Committee

Examination Committee

Training Unit Accreditation Committee

Research Committee

Queensland Regional Committee

Representation on ANZCA Committees

External Committees and Organisations