painACT – building capacity about pain management in residential aged care and aged care provider organisation staff

The Australian Pain Society (APS), in collaboration with the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), developed a ‘train-the-trainer’ pain management education program (painACT) for use by staff in residential aged care and for those who provide staff for aged care organisations. This project is part of a consortium project, funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC), Australian Government grant (2020-24; GO2810) Pain Management – Health Professional Education and Training as part of the Chronic Conditions Prevention and Management program in response to the National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management.

The consortium includes the University of Sydney (Pain Management Research Institute – lead), Curtin University, University of South Australia (Pain Revolution) and the Australian Pain Society/National Ageing Research Institute.

The pain management education program painACT has been informed by the Australian Pain Society Pain in Residential Aged Care Facilities: Management Strategies, 2nd Ed [1](2019) and Pain Management Guide (PMG) Toolkit for Age Care, 2nd Edition.[2] The training program is informed by the principle of patient-centred care reflected in the consumer pain care priorities framework (Listen to me. Learn from me) and developed as part of the larger consortium DoHAC project.[3]

Aims of painACT

The painACT pain management education program aims to:

  • Increase the training knowledge and skills among registered nurses within aged care to educate and upskill residential aged care staff (from a range of roles and professions) about pain management that aligns to patient-centric and biopsychosocial models of care.
  • The training program aims to build ‘in-house’ capacity at residential aged care facilities and within aged care provider organisations without the need for further resources such as external educators.
  • The aim is that all staff are exposed to pain concepts relevant for aged care settings, and to encourage staff to reflect on pain in the workplace, to be more vigilant about pain, and to act accordingly in response.

painACT is available on the APS website and consists of train-the-trainer learning module documents, short training video clips, and participant handout material.

About painACT

A self-taught program, painACT allows Aged Care registered nurses to select and run pre-made education modules. These modules are designed to teach a diverse range of staff roles with an emphasis particularly on nonclinical staff such as lifestyle services and personal care workers.

In total, eight (8) pain education modules were developed for painACT: one module for the trainer called “How to use the painACT trainer program”, and seven modules for the trainer to train their staff. Each module is designed to take about 10 minutes to teach to staff.

The following modules are included in painACT: 

  1. Introduction to pain in aged care
  2. Impact of pain on the person, family and staff
  3. Conversations about pain
  4. Dementia and cognitive impairment
  5. Pain and non-pharmacological management
  6. Documentation
  7. Pain assessment

[1] https://www.apsoc.org.au/publications

[2] https://www.apsoc.org.au/PMG2Toolkit

[3] Slater H, Jordan JE, O’Sullivan PB, Schütze R, Goucke R, Chua J, Browne A, Horgan B, De Morgan S, Briggs AM. ‘Listen to me, learn from me’: a priority setting partnership for shaping interdisciplinary pain training to strengthen chronic pain care. Pain. 2022 Apr 6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35384928/

Posted by on 3 July 2024 in Australian Pain Society, News and tagged , , , , .

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About Australian Pain Society

The Australian Pain Society is a multidisciplinary body aiming to relieve pain and related suffering through leadership in clinical practice, education, research and public advocacy.

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