National opioid pharmacotherapy statistics 2014

National opioid pharmacotherapy statistics 2014

Drug addiction Drug therapy Pain

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released the National opiod pharmacotherapy statistics for 2014.  Dependence on opioid drugs is associated with a range of health and social problems and this bulletin presents information on the clients receiving opioid pharmacotherapy treatment, the doctors prescribing these drugs, and the dosing points that clients attend to receive their medication.

On a snapshot day in 2014, over 48,000 clients received pharmacotherapy treatment for their opioid dependence at 2,432 dosing points around Australia. As in previous year, methadone was the most common pharmacotherapy drug, with around two-thirds (67%) of clients treated with this drug. There were 2,319 prescribers of opioid pharmacotherapy drugs, an increase of 15% from 2013.

Pain management webpage

Pain management webpage

Pain

The Australian Medicare Local Alliance has launched a webpage dedicated to pain management education. It includes information about forthcoming online education programs, a webinar series for multidisciplinary care teams including GPs, nurses and allied health care professionals, and a symposia scheduled in capital cities early next year for nurses, physiotherapists, clinical psychologists and pharmacists.  

At present, there are useful links to pain resources, the National Pain Strategy, other education resources for health professionals, and consumer information.

Children and needles: a pain solution

Children and needles: a pain solution

Children Pain Vaccination

With a son who had a phobia of needles, Dr. Amy Baxter stumbled upon a solution: a high-frequency vibrating ice pack that helps disrupt pain signals on their way to the brain. She stuck a cute bee on the front, won a $1 million federal health grant, and the product now known as Buzzy was born.
(re-posted from NPR Weekly Innovation Blog series)

Chronic Pain – a major issue in rural Australia

Chronic Pain – a major issue in rural Australia

Pain Rural health

The National Rural Health Alliance has published a 2 page fact sheet on chronic pain.One in five Australians suffer from chronic pain, and it is the most common reason that people seek medical help. It is also Australia's 3rd most costly health condition and more prevalent in rural areas.
Chronic Pain – a major issue in rural Australia- fact sheet.
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