Connecting with the pain community and building capability in pain care
The OPEN team were proud to be part of the Australian Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting 2026, joining clinicians, researchers and leaders from across the pain sector in Adelaide this April.
Throughout the conference, OPEN CEO Joyce McSwan and Sue Bellino, Head of Partnerships and Communications, hosted the OPEN exhibition stand — creating a space for meaningful conversations about strengthening pain care across the health workforce.
Strong engagement across the sector
The OPEN stand saw strong engagement from healthcare professionals across disciplines, reflecting a clear demand for accessible, evidence-informed pain education.
Many attendees took the opportunity to:
- Learn more about the OPEN Clinical Pain Management Training Program
- Explore how it can be applied in real-world clinical settings
- Sign up to begin building their skills in pain care
These conversations reinforced a consistent message — clinicians are actively seeking practical, interdisciplinary training that supports them to better care for people living with pain.
Spotlight: Pharmacists in pain care
A highlight of the conference was connecting with Katelyn Jauregui, clinical pharmacist at Campbelltown Hospital, PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, and Chair of the Pain Management Leadership Committee for Advanced Pharmacy Australia.
Joyce McSwan, also a pharmacist, reflected on the importance of pain education for the profession:
“This is an easily accessible training for pharmacists because it empowers them to take a holistic view of the patient. In modern healthcare, effective pain management goes far beyond medication alone. By integrating these strategies, pharmacists can confidently support a more comprehensive and personalised recovery journey.”
Pharmacists play a critical role in supporting people living with pain, and it was encouraging to see such strong representation from the profession at APS 2026.
Building momentum for better pain care
The energy and engagement at APS ASM 2026 reflect a broader shift across the sector — a growing recognition of the need for interdisciplinary, person-centred approaches to pain management.
OPEN is proud to support this shift by providing training that is:
- Practical and clinically relevant
- Grounded in contemporary pain science
- Designed for all healthcare professionals
Let’s continue the conversation
We’re grateful to everyone who stopped by the OPEN stand and shared their perspectives, challenges and insights.
If you didn’t get a chance to connect with us at APS ASM, we’d still love to hear from you.
Explore the OPEN Clinical Pain Management Training Program and see how it can support your practice.