This week is National Pain Week, a week that draws attention to the experience of people living with chronic pain. It aims to break down the stigma of talking about and seeking care for people experiencing chronic pain.
Thanks to NSW Health’s partnership with Painaustralia, close consultation with people living with chronic pain has helped to ensure their perspectives were captured in the design and rollout of SafeScript NSW.
What is SafeScript NSW?
SafeScript NSW gives prescribers and pharmacists real-time information about a patient’s prescription history for certain high-risk medicines, such as opioids, commonly prescribed for severe pain relief. This information helps to improve clinical decision making and patient safety.
Monika Boogs, Deputy CEO of Painaustralia said the partnership between Painaustralia and NSW Health has helped to involve people with lived experience of chronic pain in the program. This allowed their experiences and needs to be identified and considered during the system’s rollout.
NSW Health is continuing to measure the outcomes for patients, now that the system has been in use for more than a year.
“We are continuing to work with NSW Health on a study, which aims to explore the benefits and identify any issues or challenges experienced by consumers as a result of the introduction of SafeScript NSW,” said Ms Boogs.
“The study involves conducting consumer interviews over a 12-month period, focusing on their experience of SafeScript NSW and with their prescribers and dispensers during this time.”
Study participants’ health conditions vary significantly, which is helping to gain a breadth of perspectives. This includes neck pain, migraines, back pain, chronic knee pain, ankle pain, complex regional pain syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic fatigue, spinal injury, reoccurring shingles pain, neuropathic pain, arthritis, mast cell activation syndrome and sensitivity to sound.
Some of the symptoms had been experienced for as long as 20 to 30 years, with one participant experiencing pain conditions for more than 40 years.
“The study has been progressing well and we are gaining valuable insights,” said Ms Boogs.
“It is hoped that documenting qualitative consumer experiences will contribute to improved understanding, awareness and education, and training for GPs and pharmacists leading to a better experience for consumers.”
SafeScript NSW was implemented by eHealth NSW in partnership with the Ministry of Health. More than 23,000 health practitioners have registered for the system.
For more information
Visit the SafeScript NSW website to learn more.
