Leading experts gather in Auckland for pain medicine meeting

The one-day meeting at the JW Marriott Auckland will bring together internationally recognised keynote speakers including neuroscientist Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and UK pain medicine expert Professor Lesley Colvin. They will join local clinicians to explore emerging research, innovative treatments and evolving models of care for people living with acute and chronic pain.

Professor Tracey’s presentation “Innovative science leads to novel solutions for pain,” will focus on the neurobiology of pain and how research is driving new approaches to pain assessment and management.

Professor Colvin’s session, “Adverse childhood experiences and chronic pain”, will examine how research into how early-life trauma shapes pain across the lifespan.

Chronic pain affects one in five people across Australia and New Zealand and remains one of the most complex and costly health challenges facing the community. The symposium will provide an important platform for discussion on how to improve outcomes for patients through multidisciplinary care, research innovation and better access to evidence-based treatments.

Speakers will share insights on developments in pain science, including advances in understanding the mechanisms of chronic pain, new approaches to management, and the integration of personalised care into clinical practice. The program will also highlight collaborative research efforts that are shaping the future of pain medicine in the region and globally.

FPM Dean Dr Dilip Kapur says healthcare systems are grappling with rising demand for pain services at a time when funding is being squeezed.

“Chronic pain is a significant public health issue that impacts individuals, families and the broader community. This symposium provides an invaluable opportunity for experts to come together, share knowledge and drive forward the research and clinical practices that will improve patient care.”

Symposium discussions will emphasise the importance of translating research into practice, ensuring that new discoveries lead to meaningful improvements in patient outcomes. Sessions will also address the need for coordinated, multidisciplinary approaches to pain management, recognising the physical, psychological and social dimensions of chronic pain.

The symposium will be held in the lead-up to the ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting which is being held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland from 2-5 May.

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), including the Faculty of Pain Medicine and the Chapter of Perioperative Medicine, is one of the largest medical colleges in Australia and New Zealand. ANZCA is responsible for the postgraduate training of medical practitioners to become specialist anaesthetists and specialist pain medicine physicians.