Jane chats with Dr Jenny Stephens, pain specialist and anaesthetist at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.
Jane and Jenny discuss:
The significance of Australia’s problem with prescription opioids
How the risks of post-operative opioids may start before admission
The problems, beyond dependance, caused by long term opioid use
Risk factors for opioid dependance post-discharge
How Australia compares to the rest of the world with regard to problems with prescription opioids
The impact of a pharmacy-led intervention at St Vincent’s Sydney
Empowering junior doctors to stand up for good opioid prescribing
Simple interventions pharmacists can make to help
Empowering patients and managing their expectations around analgesia
