EPM: April 2021 Newsletter

Welcome to the first EPM newsletter of 2021 and year two of the global pandemic. We hope you and your families are remaining safe.

In this newsletter we look at what has been going on around the world of virtual EPM; including the exciting developments for an online EPM module.

EPM online module

EPM is delighted that we have been able to partner with Interplast and Praxhub to develop an online interactive version of EPM.

Interplast is an Australian-based NGO that is improving health outcomes in the Asia-Pacific region through a range of programs that includes provision of free clinical care (plastic and reconstructive surgery and related services) and the development and delivery of free education to locally based healthcare professionals. More on Interplast here: www.interplast.org.au

Praxhub is a health-technology company that is focused on the distribution of education to a global community of healthcare professionals, which supports organisations with the production and development of education hosted on the Praxhub platform. Praxhub has been working with Interplast since late 2019 to support the development and delivery of remote and online education for Interplast’s partners across the Asia Pacific. Interplast’s page on the Praxhub platform (including all available education content) can be found here: www.praxhub.com

Hopefully this module will be ready by the middle of 2021 and we can then make it available across the globe. Access will be by registration (at no cost!) and we will offer a certificate for CPD (continuing professional development) purposes on completion of the module.

Stay tuned!

EPM around the world

EPM has been delivered in 61 countries. If you would like a copy of the above map for presentations or promotion please email us.

Latin America

We have been busy running virtual EPM courses in Spanish across a number of Latin American Countries over the past year, with the following courses taking place –

30 May 2020 – EPM Lite

November 2020 – A brief basic EPM during the Ecuadorean national anaesthesia meeting.

16 January 2021 – EPM trainer course for 17 instructors across different Latin American countries

23 January 2021 – EPM Lite

30 January 2021 – EPM Lite

27 February – full day EPM course (participants mostly from Colombia)

– Carolina Haylock-Loor

Africa

EPM work across the African region has, needless to say been severely curtailed by the global pandemic. However courses are being run, mostly virtually, in South Africa, Benin (with Mercy Ships and the Beninese Orthopaedist Society) and the Central African Republic.

We have a useful WhatsApp group to discuss ideas and keep in touch.

– Clare Roques

Benin World Reporter recently reported on the launch of EPM workshops in Benin. Workshops were attended by about 60 health professionals across 12 department. See the highlights of the launch from Benin World Reporter in this YouTube clip.

Philippines

With the current COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Center for Pain Medicine has gone virtual to eliminate the risks from face to face activities. EPM Lite continues to be part of the curriculum for the medical students and is being taught entirely online through the various web conferencing platforms, initially Black Board Collaborate, then Google and Zoom since April 2020.

For the first time, the EPM 1-day course of 7-8 hours was offered as a two half-day virtual workshop on the 26th and 27th August 2020. This virtual workshop was well attended by 31 hospital staff from the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, comprised of 19 medical practitioners, resident trainees, and 12 nursing staff. The availability of web conferencing tools like polling and break out rooms ensured good simulation of the face to face workshop and the active engagement of the participants.

The course instructors included: Dr Jocelyn Que, Dr Anniela Soliven, Dr Mary Jocylyn Bautista, and Dr Kristine Gonzaga as the IT manager. We had some welcome overseas virtual visitors with Drs. Roger Goucke, Mary Cardosa, and Sasikaan Nimmaanrat joining us.

Overall, the participants enjoyed and learned from the 2-day virtual workshop. It was suggested to shorten the programme to minimize computer screen fatigue.

Instead of the traditional end of course photo we captured a screen shot of the happy participants.

– Jocelyn Que

Other pain management online learning and education activities

Using EPM principles and learnings, the following pain management online learning and education sessions have been run across the Asia Pacific region –

19 March 2021 – Pain Management – why we should take it seriously (Interplast)

10 April 2021 – Pain Management for Anaesthetic Scientific Officers and Nurse Anaesthetists (ANZCA, ASA and NZSA)

17 April 2021 – Pain Management for Junior Doctors and Trainees (ANZCA, ASA and NZSA)

24 April 2021 – Pain Management for anaesthetic consultants (ANZCA, ASA and NZSA)

EPM resources

EPM App

The EPM Mobile Application (“EPM App”) is available on both Android and iOS stores. Make sure you have the updated version from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Updated ANZCA website

ANZCA has recently updated their website. Please check out the EPM page for EPM information and links to resources such as participant manuals and the online reporting tool.

EPM logo

As you know, the EPM logo has now been trademarked. If you would like a high resolution copy of the trademarked logo for your website or EPM materials please email us.

If you know anyone who would be interested in this newsletter please feel free to pass it along.

If you would like to be removed from our mailing list please contacts us at epm@anzca.edu.au

ANZCA: The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) is the professional medical body in Australia and New Zealand that conducts the education, training, and continuing professional development of anaesthetists and specialist pain medicine physicians.

Copyright Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists All rights reserved.

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