Mackay pharmacist wins PSA QUM in Pain Management Award

17 June 2012

Mackay consultant pharmacist Joyce McSwan has won the 2012 PSA Award for QUM in Pain Management.

Presenting the award, PSA national President Grant Kardachi said it recognised Ms McSwan’s work in the Mackay community promoting the quality use of medicines with a focus on pain management.

“Her work strongly aligns with the National Pain Management Strategy,” Mr Kardachi said.

“She has tirelessly worked to improve the lives of people suffering from persistent pain and has completed more than 2000 Home Medicines Reviews and Residential Medication Management Reviews.”

Mr Kardachi said Ms McSwan was the Mackay Representative for the Australian Pain Management Association and in January this year started the Mackay Pain Support Group.

“Through the Mackay Pain Support Group and ongoing MMRs she has provided therapeutic education to motivate changes in behaviour and acceptance of updated treatment strategies,” he said.

“Outcomes have been measured in a reduction in medicine use, improved pain management on assessment, monitoring of adverse effects with early reporting and early intervention and ultimately a better quality of life for the patient.

‘She has developed a variety of educational programs on chronic pain management, including a DVD series for nurses.

“She is a very worthy winner of this award which recognises not only her achievements and successes but also her ongoing commitment to pain management.”

The PSA Award for QUM in Pain Management is sponsored through an education grant from Mundipharma. The grant   recognises a pharmacist who has made an outstanding contribution to the quality use of medicines through direct clinical care of consumers with persistent pain.

The recipient receives registration fees, travel and accommodation to attend PAC12 and ConPharm  2012 (where the award was presented), to the value of $6500.

MEDIA CONTACT:                          Peter Waterman       0487 922 176