Developed by expert pain medicine specialists, the Better Pain Management (BPM) program offers a series of evidence-based online modules tailored for medical practitioners, specialists, students, nurses, and allied health professionals involved in the care of patients with persistent pain.
The program consists of twelve interactive modules, each designed to be completed in approximately one hour. These modules provide a multidisciplinary perspective on the assessment, diagnosis, and management of persistent pain, equipping healthcare professionals with contemporary strategies to improve patient outcomes.
With a focus on practical application, BPM enhances clinical knowledge and fosters a holistic, patient-centered approach to pain management. Whether you're a specialist or a general practitioner, BPM supports your continuing education in pain medicine.
Access for fellows, trainees and SIMGs
ANZCA and FPM fellows, trainees and SIMGs have complimentary access to all Better Pain Management modules via Learn@ANZCA. Simply log-in with your college ID and search for "Better Pain Mangement".
For participants of the ANZCA/FPM Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, completion of the modules accrues CPD credits (or may be cited as evidence of satisfying CPD requirements) under knowledge and skills.
Access for non-ANZCA members
Healthcare professionals who are not ANZCA members can access the Better Pain Management (BPM) program via betterpainmanagement.com.
Bulk licensing for hospitals, clinics and primary health networks
We offer customised packages for hospitals, clinics and other health networks looking to enhance pain management education for their teams. Our bulk licensing options provide organisations with cost-effective access to high-quality, standardised training, ensuring consistency in pain management education across their workforce.
For more information or to discuss tailored package options, please email [email protected].
About the Better Pain Management program
The Better Pain Management (BPM) program has been developed by specialist pain medicine physicians and other experts in the field to better equip healthcare professionals to deliver effective pain management for patients with acute and chronic pain. It delivers unbiased, prioritised educational content designed to engage healthcare professionals while emphasising core themes in pain medicine in a practical, accessible format.
Independent governance
An independent Curriculum Development Committee was formed to select topics, which were then refined by a Faculty Education Committee with input from leading specialists who developed the content.
Interactive learning
The modules have been developed with clearly defined learning objectives and have used illustrations and animations to make them engaging. They are case study based, interactive, and include questionnaires to ensure effective comprehension and completion of each unit.
Twelve modules have been developed that cover the following topics.
Module 1: Making an effective pain diagnosis: a whole person approach
Understand the importance of a whole person approach to pain assessment, including awareness of important pathophysiological pathways and the complexities underlying pain experiences.
Module 2: The impact and management of psychological factors in pain
Recognise patients at risk for long-term distress and disability. Develop a management plan for psychosocial comorbidities in patients with chronic pain.
Module 3: A whole person approach to chronic pain
Comprehensively assess and manage complex chronic pain presentations. Educate patients about multidisciplinary pain management.
Module 4: Identification and management of neuropathic pain in the primary care setting
Use a systematic assessment to diagnose neuropathic pain, including how to distinguish between neuropathic and nociceptive pain. Develop a treatment plan to address common comorbidities, including when referral is indicated.
Module 5: Identification and management of low back pain in the primary care setting
Develop an evidence-based approach to assessing low back pain, with a focus on using practical, effective and time-efficient strategies. Understand why a multimodal vs. unimodal approach to low back pain is more effective.
Module 6: Opioids in pain management
Initiate and monitor opioid therapy appropriately in patients with non-malignant chronic pain. Includes resources such as the Opioid Risk Tool for assessing a patients’s risk of problematic opioid behaviour.
Module 7: Pharmacology of pain medicine
Develop an understanding of analgesic medications and mechanisms present in chronic pain to drive rational prescribing.
Module 8: Non-joint musculoskeletal pains
Explore less understood causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Module 9: Post-discharge acute pain management
Learn about current evidence and best practice in the management of post-surgical acute pain in the community.
Module 10: Understanding pain-related procedures
Commonly performed procedures for pain reduction explained in detail.
Module 11: High-dose problematic opioid use
Unravel this complex problem by understanding the influences that drive high opioid use within vulnerable patients.
Module 12: Pain in children
Appreciate the differences between adult pain and acute and chronic pain in children to improve your practice.
Participants in the ANZCA / FPM Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program can earn CPD credits under the "Knowledge and Skills" category (or may be cited as evidence of satisfying CPD requirements).
For AHPRA-registered practitioners, completing these modules may also be used as evidence of meeting CPD requirements. Each module is equivalent to one hour of CPD activity. Participants are encouraged to consult their professional organisation for guidance.