The PAFSA board is happy to announce the launching of the EPM courses in the Pan Arab countries, in collaboration with WFSA and the EPM  Group.

The first EPM course was conducted successfully for the foirst time in the Pan Arab region in Amman-Jordan in October-November 2019 : Done on time

Next locations and dates :

- 21-23 February 2020, Doha-Qatar : Done on time

- 9-13 April 2020, Khartoum-Sudan : Postponed

- Oman, date to be confirmed

- Tunis, date to be confirmed

                                                         What is "Essential Pain Management" Course

Introduction
Pain is a global problem. It has many causes and is often a “hidden” problem. Essential Pain Management (EPM) has been developed to improve pain management worldwide by working with health workers at a local level to:
• Improve pain knowledge
• Provide a simple framework for managing pain
• Address pain management barriers

Why EPM?
There is a need for EPM because:
• Pain is often poorly treated
• Improving knowledge and attitudes can lead to improved pain management
• Simple and inexpensive treatments can make a big difference

The EPM Program
The program is cost-effective, multi-disciplinary and encourages early handover of teaching to local instructors. To date, courses have been run in over twenty countries worldwide, including countries in the Pacific region, Central America, Asia and Africa.
There are two parts to the EPM program – the EPM Workshop and the EPM Instructor Workshop. Manuals and slides have been developed for both workshops.
The EPM Workshop is a one-day program of interactive lectures and group discussions. The workshop teaches a system for recognizing, assessing and treating pain (RAT) and addresses pain management barriers.
The EPM Instructor Workshop is a half-day program designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to become EPM instructors. Early handover of teaching to local instructors is very important because it encourages cooperation between local health workers, and because local instructors are more likely to understand specific local problems.

Who Can Attend?
The EPM program is designed for any health worker who comes in contact with patients who have pain. It is aimed at “grass roots” workers and complements other higher level initiatives to improve pain management, e.g. improving supply of morphine and other analgesics.
Participants may include doctors, nurses, clinic workers, pharmacists and other health workers. For some, the information in the EPM Workshop will be new. For others, the course will provide revision and a framework for teaching others. The workshop is also suitable for trainee doctors and nurses.

What is the Next Step?
EPM is a cost-effective way of improving management of pain of all types (acute or chronic, cancer or non-cancer). Please consider running EPM at your hospital.

Contact Roger Goucke or Wayne Morriss if you would like to know more

Dr Roger Goucke, Email: roger.goucke@bigpond.com
Dr. Wayne Morriss, Email: w.morriss@xtra.co.nz