Webinar: First principles of chronic pain with Dr Anne Saunders
Date: Tuesday 26 May 2026
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm AEST
Venue: Zoom
Contact Phone: 08 7557 9556
Contact Email: education@aspm.org.au
Session overview:
This webinar will provide GPs with a practical introduction to the first principles of chronic pain management in general practice. Participants will explore how to define and diagnose chronic pain, assess opioid use through opioid equivalent dosing, and develop an initial patient-centered pain management plan. The session will also examine the role of multidisciplinary care, including allied health and specialist supports, alongside current RACGP guidance on opioid prescribing and trials of opioid medicines.
Presented by Dr Anne Saunders, the webinar draws on extensive experience in addiction medicine, chronic pain management, opioid replacement treatment, and whole-person care across both general practice and emergency medicine settings.
Learning objectives:
- Define and assess chronic pain in general practice, including appropriate diagnostic considerations and patient assessment.
- Apply evidence-based approaches to chronic pain management, including calculating opioid equivalent doses and developing an initial patient-centred management plan.
- Identify multidisciplinary care options and apply current RACGP guidance regarding opioid prescribing and trials of opioid medicines in practice.