Congratulations to the Faculty of Pain Medicine (ANZCA) on the launch of the Australian Standards for Health Practitioner Pain Management Education—an important milestone in strengthening pain education across Australia’s healthcare workforce.
OPEN CEO Joyce McSwan joined leaders from across the pain sector in Canberra to celebrate the launch and participate in discussions about the future of pain education in Australia. The event brought together peak organisations, educators and clinicians committed to improving the quality and consistency of pain care through contemporary, evidence-informed education.
A highlight of the launch was a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Dr Noam Winter, A/Prof Michael Reynolds, Kate May and Dr Phoebe Holdenson Kimura. Throughout the discussion, speakers reinforced that too many Australians living with pain continue to feel unseen and unheard within the healthcare system. There was strong consensus that improving outcomes for people living with pain requires greater collaboration across professions, education providers and healthcare settings, while ensuring the voices and experiences of people living with pain remain at the centre of care.
One message that particularly resonated with OPEN was Dr Phoebe Holdenson Kimura’s observation that every health professional is also an educator. Whether supporting patients, mentoring colleagues or teaching the next generation of clinicians, every interaction presents an opportunity to influence how pain is understood, communicated and managed.
These principles closely align with OPEN’s vision and mission. The OPEN Clinical Pain Training Program was developed to bridge the gap between knowing about pain and confidently applying contemporary pain management principles in everyday clinical practice. By providing practical, evidence-informed education grounded in lived experience and the biopsychosocial model of care, OPEN aims to build the confidence and capability of health professionals across Australia and New Zealand.
OPEN congratulates the Faculty of Pain Medicine on this significant achievement and looks forward to continuing to work alongside partners across the pain sector to strengthen pain education and improve care for people living with pain.